Ethnocultural Factors in Substance Abuse Treatment

by Shulamith Lala Ashenberg Straussner (Editor)

This book presents a culturally informed framework for understanding and treating substance abuse problems. From expert contributors, chapters cover specific ethnocultural groups in the United States, including Americans of African, Native American, Latino, European, Middle Eastern, and Asian descent. Authors examine how ethnocultural factors may affect a person's attitudes toward alcohol and other drugs, patterns of substance use, reasons for seeking treatment, and responsiveness to various interventions. Themes addressed include the impact of migration and acculturation issues, spiritual values and traditions, family structures, gender roles, and experiences of prejudice and discrimination. Featuring a wealth of illustrative clinical material, the book makes concrete recommendations for more competent, effective assessment and intervention. It also guides clinicians toward greater awareness of the ways their own ethnocultural backgrounds may affect their interactions with clients.

447 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

DSW

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good beginning read for counselors entering the addiction field. The one thing it lacked is a strong emphasis on the practitioner understanding his or her own culture, ethnicity, values, and bias. Although it is beneficial to learn about other cultures, it is best to understand one's own self prior to understanding the myriad of others. Nevertheless, it offers a quick snapshot into ethnocultural factors in relationship to chemical dependence.