Hispanics/Latinos & Addiction Treatment

For simplicity I’ll use “Hispanic”, defined as: a Spanish-speaking person living in the US, especially one of Latin American descent. In the western parts of the country, there’s a concerted effort to provide treatment for Hispanics, but in the southeast and other parts of the country there’s a definite lack of effective addiction treatment offerings. There are several obstacles associated with Hispanics and addiction, such as language/cultural barriers, distrust, lack of funding and lack of awareness.

Many Hispanics are hidden from the majority. Treatment facilities are mostly geared toward treating English speaking clients. Some addiction treatment might have one or two employees who speak Spanish, but there’s no treatment alternative designed to address the problem of Hispanic addiction. Most counselors in most US cities would likely feel inadequate, even if they receive their yearly training on “cultural competence”. I don’t like this term. I prefer cultural sensitivity or awareness. Good counseling requires deep thought, going beyond the artificial surface to truly understand a client as an individual, but also the client at they perceive themselves in their community, their family, their culture, etc.

In order to provide effective addiction treatment for Hispanics who’re surrounded by a different culture and language than their native language and culture, a specialized addiction program is required. Provision of such specialized programs requires money. Most Hispanics new to the US, or even those who’ve been here for a number of years and are partially adjusted, usually don’t have insurance coverage or the money necessary to pay for treatment. This will all change in time as Hispanics become more and more a common part of the make-up of the US all across the country.

But for now, in many places, like across the southern US, Hispanics are in small communities basically hidden from the majority. Efforts are underway to change this situation, to build bridges, so that Hispanics who have a problem with alcohol or other drugs can access treatment and find a path to recovery. Hispanics & addiction pose a serious national problem that will continue to get worse without action. Counselors need not fear dealing with clients from other cultures — underneath are the human commonalities and bonds we all understand and share at a deep level — we just have to find ways to meet and talk to one another at that deeper level.