“It hurts so much to live for nothing”: Lived Experiences of Substance Use Among Refugee Youth in Displacement

Im, Hyojin; George, Nicole E.

doi:10.1007/s11469-020-00472-0

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…For example, further research is needed to understand the burdens and risk factors for substance use among groups of refugees in low‐ and middle‐income countries that were not addressed in this review. The study presented here on Somalian refugees in Kenya [38] illustrates the importance of this topic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A systematic review of qualitative research on substance use among refugees

et al. 2022

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Aims: To evaluate qualitative research on substance use and substance use disorders (SUDs) among refugees in terms of practitioners' and substance users' attitudes, beliefs and experiences. Methods: Six medical, allied health and social sciences databases (EBSCO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scholar and the Cochrane Library) were systematically searched in a time frame between January and April 2021 to identify original peerreviewed articles describing qualitative findings related to substance use among refugees (alcohol, illicit drugs, tobacco and prescription drugs). Study selection, critical appraisal and detailed extraction were performed via the Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) (2018). Three independent reviewers selected the relevant abstracts and articles. Synthesis of the evidence identified prominent themes relating to the context and consequences of substance use.Results: Twenty-six studies were included in this review. Twenty-three studies applied qualitative methods and three applied mixed methods. Synthesis of the evidence from the included studies resulted in four main findings: there is a considerable susceptibility of refugees to substance use and SUDs; the harmful consequences of substance use are complicated by the social insecurities of refugees; there are rather high barriers to treatment and health facilities for refugees in many host countries; and there is a strong need to improve effective access to treatment, interventions and prevention approaches. Conclusions: Refugees are at high risk for substance use and substance use disorders and often face high barriers to treatment and interventions in host countries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the 26 studies, tobacco use was reported in two studies as being consumed with other substances (e.g. with khat or with betel quid) as reported by Somalian refugees in Kenya and Burmese refugees in Australia, respectively [34,38].…”

Section: Recommendations For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of qualitative research on substance use among refugees

et al. 2022

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“…Implementation priorities, such as the need to increase access to services and health systems strengthening, reflects the preference among refugee participants for coordinated and integrated care models. Intersectionality and the role of social and structural determinants of health in substance use disorder in humanitarian settings emerged as an important gap in existing knowledge that is consistent with prior qualitative research with populations affected by humanitarian emergencies [39,42]. Overcoming challenges related to fragmentation of services, particularly for substance use disorder which is often also excluded from mental health systems of care, requires deliberate efforts to understand community demand and engagement in services, map existing resources and referral pathways, identify opportunities for integration of services to address co-occurring social and health problems, and invest in strengthening the capacity of health systems and services, which can be augmented by advocating for greater political commitment to addressing substance use disorders in humanitarian settings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Priorities for addressing substance use disorder in humanitarian settings

et al. 2021

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Background Populations affected by humanitarian emergencies are vulnerable to substance (alcohol and other drug) use disorders, yet treatment and prevention services are scarce. Delivering substance use disorder treatment services in humanitarian settings is hampered by limited guidance around the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of substance use disorder treatment programs. This study aims to identify and prioritize key gaps and opportunities for addressing substance use disorder in humanitarian settings. Methods UNODC convened a consultation meeting (n = 110) in coordination with UNHCR and WHO and administered an online survey (n = 34) to, thirteen program administrators and policymakers, eleven service providers, nine researchers, and one person with lived experience to explore best practices and challenges to addressing substance use disorder in diverse populations and contexts. Participants presented best practices for addressing substance use disorder, identified and ranked challenges and opportunities for improving the delivery of substance use disorder treatment interventions, and provided recommendations for guidelines that would facilitate the delivery of substance use disorder treatment services in humanitarian emergencies. Results Participants agreed on key principles for delivering substance use disorder treatment in humanitarian settings that centered on community engagement and building trust, integrated service delivery models, reducing stigma, considering culture and context in service delivery, and an ethical ‘do no harm’ approach. Specific gaps in knowledge that precluded the delivery of appropriate substance use disorder treatment include limited knowledge of the burden and patterns of substance use in humanitarian settings, the effectiveness of substance use disorder treatment services in humanitarian settings, and strategies for adapting and implementing interventions for a given population and humanitarian context. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen awareness and commitment related to the burden of substance use disorder treatment interventions among communities, practitioners, and policymakers in humanitarian settings. Conclusions Results from this consultation process highlight existing gaps in knowledge related to the epidemiology and treatment of substance use disorders in humanitarian emergencies. Epidemiological, intervention, and implementation research as well as operational guidance are needed to fill these gaps and improve access to substance use treatment services in humanitarian settings.

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“…Recognizing factors such as trauma and adversity as potential triggers for substance use is vital when determining when to seek treatment and solutions before the emergence of unhealthy coping and addiction. [51][52][53] One potential method of achieving this is by collaborating with health care providers to screen for substance use risks and pre-existing substance use disorders, not only at the time of immigration but in the subsequent years and by providing information in languages accessible to immigrants.…”

Section: Lack Of Specific Programs To Address Substance Use and Addic...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Process and Outcome of Community Engagement Event on Substance Use and Addiction Risks Facing Their Immigrant Communities in Regina, Saskatchewan

et al. 2023

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Canada is a significant destination for immigrants who are drawn from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds some of whom have a hidden risk for substance use disorders due to acculturation stress and are not screened for risks of substance use or addiction when considering medical admissibility. Not surprisingly, healthcare providers in Regina are reporting a noticeable increase in substance use among immigrants. These immigrants experience barriers in seeking substance use prevention and treatment services due to diverse challenges: stigma, shame, and lack of knowledge of existing services. Considering the discussed challenges and risks of substance use disorders in immigrant communities, creating a safe space for discussing these topics is urgent. To understand and address these challenges, a connection grant from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) to mobilize immigrant communities in Regina to explore substance use issues and their impact on the community was sought and received. Subsequently, a Zoom knowledge-sharing event brought settlement agency stakeholders together to deliberate issues on substance use and addiction faced by immigrants in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Zoom session included presentations on immigrants and substance use from the clinical, community, and lived experience perspectives of immigrants. Because of the challenges and risks, this community consultation process revealed that acculturation stress and the ease of obtaining socially acceptable substances fuel substance use and addiction among immigrants in Regina; this is further exacerbated by the lack of programming available to prevent and reduce the risks of substance use in this population. A team of knowledge keepers with lived experiences, service providers, and researchers was assembled to explore substance use and addiction among immigrants. This manuscript reports the process of community engagement to identify solutions to this budding issue. The strengths, challenges, and lessons learned are identified.

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“It hurts so much to live for nothing”: Lived Experiences of Substance Use Among Refugee Youth in Displacement

Cited by 10 publications

References 45 publications

A systematic review of qualitative research on substance use among refugees

A systematic review of qualitative research on substance use among refugees

Priorities for addressing substance use disorder in humanitarian settings

Process and Outcome of Community Engagement Event on Substance Use and Addiction Risks Facing Their Immigrant Communities in Regina, Saskatchewan

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