RECOVERY BARRIERS People of color face unique challenges in treatment The opioid epidemic is well-documented, but most attention seems to focus on white suburban and rural victims. Meanwhile, people of color have experienced dramatic increases in opioid misuse and overdose deaths, but they often encounter barriers to treatment and recovery.
JOHN W. BRAZZELL, M.D. Volunteer Medical Consultant at Lifeline
Medical director at Kentucky Care, Paducah
The problem According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the rate of increase of Black drug overdose deaths from 2015 to 2016 was 40 percent, compared to the overall population increase of 21 percent. From 2011 to 2016, Blacks had the highest increase in overdose death rate secondary for opioids, such as fentanyl and fentanyl analogs.
How to help • Encourage people of color, as well as people of all races, to seek help for addiction, seeing help as a sign of strength, not weakness. • Increase awareness in the legal and judicial system, opting for less incarceration and more drug treatment.
Drugs most commonly used by people of color are alcohol, cocaine (crack), opiates, marijuana and methamphetamine.
• Expand multicultural staff in treatment centers, so people of color can benefit from having people who understand cultural differences as part of their treatment team.
The barriers Major challenges for people of color to enter treatment include:
• Offer spirituality and faith-based recovery programs as key sources of strength for more positive outcomes.
• The stigma within their culture. Many consider substance misuse as a private matter that should be kept within the family.
“The staff at Lifeline Recovery Center stands as passionate allies for people of color. Our affordable residential treatment is available for all people regardless of color, ethnicity, gender or faith.”
• Lack of finances, employment, housing or health insurance. • The fear of racially motivated policing practices. Data show that people of color continue to be disproportionately arrested, convicted and incarcerated for drug-related charges. This bias causes people of color to protect themselves by hiding their substance abuse and not seeking treatment.
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