Essay On Cultural Differences

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CULTURAL DIFFERENCES ON ADDICTION AND RECOVERY 3
It has been said that most people in the world have the same wants, needs and desires. While that is true of people, we still have differences in our back grounds, and in our heritage. We all have a unique culture of understanding. America enjoys these cultural differences, we have embraced them, and it has in many ways enriched this country. There are times however when these differences can be a challenge, mostly because we do not understand those differences. It is difficult to come to an understanding of a culture that we are not familiar with. There are things that we do not realize, that come directly from someone 's culture. We may assume something that it simply not true. In cases of drug addiction and recovery, it can be difficult when we do not take into consideration, that while people seem similar in nature, they have unique cultures that define who they are. For this very reason, we need to see this difference, in all …show more content…

One study found that a particular ethnic group did not seek alcohol or drug treatment from a local program because the program did not have staff that included members of the same ethnic group. Staff composition is critical in developing treatment programs, particularly with treatment initiation and retention. Hiring qualified staff of the same ethnic background may dramatically increase patient access and initiation into treatment. In addition, if the treatment provider is not of the same ethnic background, it is best that he or she take on an inquisitive role and not make any ethnocentric assumptions based on his own cultural heritage. The goat of the clinician should be to uncover social cultural issues that will affect acceptance, retention, and ultimately, treatment outcome". (Patrick Abbott, MD and Duane M. Chase. n.d para,

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