The topic of Asian American drug use is one that is rarely seen in the media. Thinking about this topic produced the question, do Asian Americans use substances? Their use of substances is a focus that is under researched. To gain a better understanding of the topic I will research the scope of the problem, use patterns, barriers to treatment, and methods to keep abusers in treatment.
The majority of national studies on drug use often lump Asian Americans into the category of “other” and focus mainly on African Americans, White, and Hispanics. The lack of unspecified studies has led some to believe that there is no drug abuse problem in the Asian American population. In turn, this has perpetuated the stereotype that Asian Americans are a model minority (Moloney, Hunt, & Evans, 2008, p. 377). A model minority is a group “who do not experience problems related to mental health, medical comorbidity, or addictions” (Fong MD & Tsuang MD MS, 2007, p. 52). The reality is, that although the research pool is shallow, substance abuse is present in the Asian American community (Fong MD & Tsuang MD MS, 2007, p. 52).
A survey completed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) in 2000 founded that five percent of the 12 million Asian Americans in the United States had used illegal drugs in the past 12 months. Three percent of those studies were found to meet the criteria for a substance use disorder (Fong MD & Tsuang MD MS, 2007, p. 52). Fong Md and Tsuang MD MS state “There are some unique biopsychosocial aspects of the addictive disorders that impact the Asian American (AAPI) population. In regards to specific data, the most appears to be available in the area of alcohol and much less is available in regards to drugs...
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...ible Barriers to Enrollment in Substance Abuse Treatment among a Diverse Sample of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Opinions of Treatment Clients, 2013, p. 9). Loss of confidentiality pertains to cultural barriers, “AAPIs place a significant emphasis on appearances of normal functioning” (Fong MD & Tsuang MD MS, 2007, p. 56). Asian Americans do not like asking for help, they fear the stigma that will come from it. “AAPI have a holist view of health and oftentimes view mental and addictive disorders as a medical problem, a sign of weakness, or a lack of willpower over Western temptations” (Fong MD & Tsuang MD MS, 2007, p. 56). There are also practical barriers that cause a lack of treatment. Cost of care and deficiency of culturally competent services were listed in a study by Fong and Tsuang (Asian-Americans, Addictions, and Barriers to Treatment, 2007, p. 56).
...-American descents are approached with problematic instances that brings them to substance usage will provide enough evidence to display the critical situation of substance abuse, let alone coping mechanisms. With treatment tools, support, and trust, these individuals can find assistance in this problematic field.
...y, H. (2008). Drug use and abuse: a comprehensive introduction (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Villanueva, Michael, Tonigan, J. Scott, & Miller, William R. (2007). Response of Native American clients to three treatment methods for alcohol dependence. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 6(2), 41-48. doi: 10.1300/J233v06n02_04
Wu, Li-Tzy, Dan G. Blazer, Marvin S. Swartz, Bruce Burchett and Kathleen T. Brady. 2013. "Illicit and Nonmedical Drug Use among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, and Mixed-Race Individuals." Drug & Alcohol Dependence 133(2):360-67. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.06.008.
According to Kramer (2002), Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the United States; growing from fewer than 1 million in 1960 to 7.2 million in 1990. But despite this ongoing rapid progression, Asian Americans have the lowest rate of utilization of any professional mental health related services than the general United States population (Tung 2011). To increase the utilization of mental health services among the Asian American community, the most hindering barriers that exist preventing Asian Americans in general from seeking out these services must be identified and explored. In spite of the fact that Asian Americans are viewed as the “model minority”, with high academic achievements and few mental/behavioral problems, studies
the only way to make money. Minimum wage salaries can not compare to the huge
All minority groups experience discrimination which leads to increased levels of stress in those individuals. As the level of stress goes up, so does the risk for several health complications including those related to mental health. Wells, Klap, Koike, and Sherbourne (2001) conducted a study examining the disparities in mental health care among black, Hispanic, and white Americans. Of those Hispanics in the study (n=617), 16.6% of them had a probable mental disorder compared to 13.4% of whites (n=7,299). Hispanics also had a higher incidence of substance abuse problems with 9% of those surveyed meeting criteria compared to 7.6% of whites. Hispanics also had the least reported perceived need for treatment with 10.4% for mental health and only 1.3% for substance abuse. A clinician treating Antonio should keep in mind that he has a higher likelihood of having a mental illness or substance use disorder than a white client as well as the fact that if he does meet the criteria for either, that he probably does not believe he needs
Robert s. Young, Jennie R. Joe. “ Some Thoughts About Epidemiology of Alcohol and Drug Use Among American Indian Population”. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse. Vol. 8 Iss 3:(2009) 223
Past and Current Trends of Drug Abuse in the United States. Drug abuse has changed over the years due to the trends that Americans face from the encouragement of different cultures. The abuse of substances creates many health problems. The following will discuss the past and current trends in drug use and the effects these drugs have on the health of the individuals who abuse the drugs. The use of cocaine in the United States has declined over the last twenty years, while the use of crack has increased.
Literature Review National Institute on Drug Abuse Report Spotlighting on drug abuse by specific ethnic groups was a good start to research, as it shed some light on the actual drug abuse by minority groups. The study showed that African American teenagers have a lower rate of drug use compared to Whites, however they suffer from more drug-related health problems than any other ethnic group. It was also suggested that drug use is believed to cause criminal behavior in African American communities. Asians and Pacific Islanders may be less likely to pursue treatment services because they are not culturally appropriate. Higher rates of alcohol abuse are more likely in their native countries than in the United States because treatment options are more actively utilized.
Robison, Jennifer. “Decades of Drug Use: Data from the '60s and'70s.” 2 July 2002. Gallup, Inc. 28 March 2011.
From the inception of the Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914, the social concept of drug addicts or those recovering from abuse as “criminal deviants” is still stigmatized today even though we have gained ground and won the war on dru...
The argument over drug reform and the current prohibition has been going on for years. It seems to be an argument between a wise parent and a young teenager, but as generations change more and more of the parents seem to switch sides. While prohibitionists say the mainstream drugs like cocaine, heroin, LSD, and marijuana are harmful and immoral, legalizers argue the opposite (Rachels 223). While they are both valid and interesting arguments the drugs named above still remain illegal. Many organizations and respected citizens have come to America’s attention in their support for drug reform or complete legalization of certain drugs. These people range from normal citizens who support the recreational use of marijuana to judges and ex- law enforcement agents who say the war on drugs has been a failure. The drug issue in the United States of America has been going on for years with the counterculture of the sixties up until the more recent medicinal marijuana debates today, and it seems that it is not going to go away anytime soon.
Drug abuse has been a hot topic for our society due to how stimulants interfere with health, prosperity, and the lives of others in all nations. All drugs have the potential to be misapplied, whether obtained by prescription, over the counter, or illegally. Drug abuse is a despicable disease that affects many helpless people. Majority of those who are beset with this disease go untreated due to health insurance companies who neglect and discriminate this issue. As an outcome of missed opportunities of treatments, abusers become homeless, very ill, or even worst, death.
Office of the National Drug Control Policy. "National Survey on Drug Use and Health." May 2008. Print. 26 March 2014.