Lecture Notes Session 10

Question 1

Define Minority

Answer 1

groups within the population who differ from others in their cultural or ethnic characteristics and may be liable to different (often inferior) policy or procedure

Question 2

Define Subculture

Answer 2

groups within a culture that have distinct group characteristics but cannot exist independent of the population at large

Question 3

Define Abstinence subcultures

Answer 3

prohibition of taboo substances by certain groups (prohibition of alcohol use by Hindus and Muslims)

Question 4

Drug Trade Subculture (1, 2a-d)

Answer 4

1. smuggling and distribution of illicit substances 2. cottage industry, community-level retail of illicit substances (a. involves low capital investment for starting up such as storefront or car, gun, or supply of drugs. b. Also involves a relationship and/or shared identity between buyer and seller. c. Involves multiple distribution and sales points in a community and d. there’s reduced risk through corruption or subculture protection)

Question 5

Genomic Research (2)

Answer 5

1. American Indians (Chromosome 5) - alcohol craving. (Chromosome 4) - alcohol dependence 2. African Americans susceptible of developing cirrhosis due to variability of alcohol dehydrogenase-2

Question 6

Effects of Addiction on Ethnic/ Minority Affiliation (4)

Answer 6

1. decline in ethnic affiliation among addicted individuals results in reduced participation in activities that support ethnic identity 2. results in social role conflicts/reduced or increased social status 3. alientation/isolation from ethnic group 4. regaining trust may require years!

Question 7

Medical Comorbidity and Minorities (3)

Answer 7

1. Although whites and African Americans have similar smoking rates, African Americans have a disproportionately higher lung cancer mortality rate than whites 2. Hispanics have the highest cirrhosis rates 3. these highly variable rates reflect ethnic differences in health practices, disparities and genomic differences

Question 8

Ethnicity and Treatment (4)

Answer 8

1. significant health disparities related to addiction 2. minorities experiences more adverse health and social consequences from drinking than whites 3. need for culturally competent services 4. cultural differences between providers and patients influence Substance abuse treatment approaches and outcomes

Question 9

Treatment Access (1, 2a-d)

Answer 9

1. requires more than availability because most don’t seek treatment especially if the program staff did not include any members of the ethnic group 2. barriers: a. mistrust of providers, b. lack of knowledge of ethnicity, c. lack of ethnic sensitive practices, d. inadequate resources, e. family-community barriers such as (Shame, stigma, lack of social support for treatment)

Question 10

Cultural Recovery (6)

Answer 10

Involves a combination of Substance Abuse treatment and: 1. rebuilding ethnic identity 2. acquiring functional social support network committed to the person’s recovery 3. re-engaging in sober recreational activities 4. gaining a social role in the recovering community as well as larger social groups 5. making a spiritual or moral commitment to recovery 6. failure to make a satisfactory cultural recovery = risk for re-addiction

Question 11

Recovery Subcultures (4)

Answer 11

1. substitute social groups and networks that can foster early recovery 2. subculture of treatment (self-help groups) 3. recovery culture risk factors? if any 4. cultural re-entry: occurs when the recovering person reaches a point at which further progress involves branching out from the recovery subculture.