Cultural Considerations in the Behavioral Assessment and Treatment of Substance-Related Disorders

Document Type

Book Section

Publication Date

2-9-2020

Publication Title

Handbook of Cultural Factors in Behavioral Health: A Guide for the Helping Professional

Publisher

Springer

Edition

1

First page number:

403

Last page number:

418

Abstract

This chapter reviews culturally sensitive assessment and treatment approaches for substance use disorders. Prevalence of substance use disorders is generally higher for males, younger age cohorts, individuals with disabilities, and military service members and varies across racial and ethnic groups depending on the type of substance. Yet, substance use treatment is still underutilized in culturally diverse groups. The first part of this chapter reviews culturally sensitive assessment measures for substance use disorders specific to screening, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment progress and outcome. The second part of this chapter reviews cultural adaptations of evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders. We suggest the Semistructured Interview for Consideration of Ethnic Culture in Therapy (SSICECTS; Donohue et al., Behavior Modification, 30: 867–891, 2006) as a means to integrate cultural considerations into any type of substance use treatment. The last part of the chapter underscores cultural considerations for substance use treatments within integrated behavioral health-care systems that include behavioral health specialists, medical clinicians, and administrative/supportive treatment team members. These considerations are reviewed within the context of various treatment settings and joint goals of the treatment team. The chapter’s aim is to provide clinicians with a resource to advance their cultural competence when working with diverse substance use disorder populations.

Keywords

Substance use disorders; Cultural adaptations; Cultural considerations; Assessment; Evidence-based; Treatment; Interventions; Integrated care; Integrated behavioral health care

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Mental and Social Health | Substance Abuse and Addiction

Language

English

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