Latinos are one of the fastest growing segments of the United States population. The U.S. Bureau of the Census estimates that there are 60 million people of Hispanic origin living in the United States, comprising 18.3% of the total population.
With the Hispanic population expected to increase to over 30% of the population by 2050, it is imperative that we address any substance abuse and addiction treatment disparities currently experienced by these individuals.
7.1% of Hispanic Americans have a substance use disorder, compared to a rate of 7.4% among the total population.
3% of Hispanic Americans have an illicit drug use disorder (the same rate as that among the total population).
Hispanic Americans report lower rates of lifetime illicit drug use (37.7%) than European (54.5%) and African Americans (45.9%)
Rates of past month and past year drug use among Hispanics are comparable to those of other ethnic groups.
Rates of alcohol dependence (5.3%) and binge drinking (24.6%) among Hispanics are similar to those of European Americans and slightly higher than those of African Americans.
Differences Across Hispanic Communities
Although Hispanic Americans are often studied as a single population, there are important differences in the rates of substance abuse among different Hispanic subgroups.
A report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse describes differences among the U.S. Hispanic population that include:
Puerto Ricans have the highest rate of recent illicit drug use (6.9%) and South Americans have the lowest (2.1%).
Puerto Ricans have the highest rate of recent marijuana use (5.6%) while Cubans and South Americans have the lowest (2.1%).
Other Hispanics (individuals originating from a Spanish speaking country other than Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, Central America, and South America) have the highest rate of recent cocaine use (1.7%) while Cubans have the lowest (0.5%).
According to a recent study published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism, Puerto Rican men and women tend to be the heaviest drinkers of all Hispanic Americans.5 The study authors propose that the reason Puerto Ricans are almost 3 times more likely to develop alcohol use disorders than non-Hispanic white Americans is because of cultural differences that include:
What to do?
What is the best way to handle substance abuse?
-The first step to overcoming drug abuse and addiction.
-Explore your addiction treatment options.
-Find support for your addiction recovery.
-Learn healthy ways to cope with stress.
-Be aware of drug triggers.
-Cope with drug cravings.