Ethnic Differences in Narcotics Addiction. II. Chicano and Anglo Addiction Career Patterns

Abstract

Part I of this series compared characteristics of 546 Chicanos and Anglo men and women methadone maintenance (MM) clients. In Part II, specific differences between Chicanos and Anglos are analyzed, by sex, for each of five stages in the addiction career: preexperimentation, experimentation addiction, initial MM treatment, and posttreatment. The analysis examines narcotic and other drug use, arrest, incarceration and legal supervision histories, criminal involvement, employment, interpersonal relationships, and treatment history. Whereas preaddiction differences between addicts parallel ethnic differences found in the general population, after addiction occurs the similarities are greater than the dissimilarities between ethnic groups, except for Chicanas. Chicanos appear to continue to function as part of their community after addiction, but Chicanas appear to risk becoming marginal. Treatment outcomes for Chicanos were, in general, less successful than for Anglos.

The Impact of Conduct Disorder and Stimulant Medication on Later Substance Use in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Childhood

“…As such, a number of factors exist both within and across studies that can potentially account for the diverse findings. For example, the only study that reported a negative influence of psychostimulant treatment was also one of only two studies to include an ethnically diverse sample from lower socioeconomic strata, and socioeconomic and ethnic differences have been shown to clearly impact substance use trajectories (Anglin et al 1988;Gilman et al 2008). However, this study also failed to adequately address issues pertaining to diagnostic severity and co-morbidity.…”

Direct practice with substance abusing mothers in the child welfare system: A system perspective

“…Researchers also agree that minority women with AOD problems tend to be poorer, have limited access to healthcare providers, have less education, and are more often unemployed (Anglin et al, 1988;Bushway and Heiland, 1995). Life skills training and case management, consequently, become especially important for this population.…”

“…Further, Caucasians appeared "less likely to be represented at the later court he'aring, with 19% underrepresented at permanency planning hearings following an 18-month review"; yet, "both Hispanic and African American cases were overrepresented in permanency proceedings" with 9% overrepresentation for Hispanics at the 12-month hearing and 23% overrepresentation for African Americans at the 18-month hearing (p. 89). In another study, Anglin, Booth, Ryan, and Hser (1988) found that while Chicanas, compared with Anglo women, used fewer drugs, and engaged in less prostitution, they faced more arrests.…”

Group therapy with the multiply oppressed: Treating Latino, HIV-infected injecting drug users

“…Submissiveness and passivity are qualities that are encouraged and praised among females (Badillo-Ghali, 1982). This gender role definition may make Latina women who use drugs marginal in both mainstream and Latino society because they are in violation of the gender role expectations (Anglin et al, 1988;Gomez & Vega, 1981;Langrod et al, 1981). This dissonance can be addressed in the group process.…”