Ethnic Differences in Alcoholism

Article Summary:

In the article Age and Ethnic Differences in the Onset, Persistence and Recurrence of Alcohol Use Disorder, Grant et al. discuss ethnic differences in the prevalence of alcoholism. This study also touches on some differences in seeking treatment. This study wanted to establish ethnic differences in three components of alcohol use/dependence disorder; onset, presistence, and recurrence. The participants in this study included white individuals, black individuals, US born Hispanic individuals, or Hispanics born outside the US. The authors of this article found that immigrants (Hispanics born outside the US) are at less of a risk for developing an alcohol use disorder. Also, the model of acculturation suggests that Hispanics from the US are at risk for being marginalized. This occurs because these individuals may be at a higher risk of losing their connection with their original culture, but not completely becoming acculturated the the new culture (Grant et al., 2012).
There is also a difference in alcohol-based treatment utelization between different ethnicities. The authors found that Blacks and Hispanics are less likely than whites to seek alcohol treatment. Blacks are also less likely to seek mental health services and Hispanics are less likely to use mutual aid (Grant et al., 2012).

Connection to Class:

This article connects to class in that this week we are discussing racial, ethnic, and cultural issues related to addictions. People of different ethnicities, races, and cultures all define alcoholism differently as well as approach treatment differently. This can cause difficulties in seeking treatment in the US when US culture does not match their specific thoughts or beliefs. This can also create difficulty in that some races or ethnicities may be less likely to seek treatment, and so it is important to tailor treatments to each individual.

References:

Grant, J. D., Verges, A., Jackson, K. M., Trull, T., Sher, K., & Bucholz, K. Age and ethnic differences in the onset, persistence and recurrence of alcohol use disorder. Addiction, 107(4): 756-765. doi: 10.111/j.1360-0443.2011.03721.x
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