Substance Abuse Issues In the Asian American Community

1. Substance Abuse Issues In the Asian American Community Recovery Month Community Forum September 22nd, 2006

2. Asian Population in New York State • According to the Census Bureau as of 2005 New York State has 19,254,630 people, and of that approximately 6.5% are Asian; 1,251,550. • That number represents 10 percent of the entire United State’s Asian population as residing in New York State. • Over 75% of those Asians in New York State reside in New York City, representing roughly 7% of the United State’s Asian population. • Asians are the fastest growing minority in NYC, from 1990-2000 the group grew 70 percent, compared to an overall population growth of just 9 percent.

3. Cultural Factors • Many Asian cultures believe issues such as addiction are to be resolved within the family, and that taking them outside the family is shameful. • Drinking is seen as an acceptable way to deal with personal problems as long as you don’t disgrace the family. • Drinking can sometimes be a status symbol in social or business settings. • Refusing a drink from a person of stature, an elder, or a boss, is seen as rude and disrespectful. • Talk therapy is not common in Asian countries and can be difficult for Asians to utilize.

4. Barriers to Treatment • Shame, guilt and stigma associated with addiction disorders in Asian cultures. • Lack of culturally appropriate services with inadequate language capabilities. • Lack of outreach efforts because of Asians being seen as a “model minority” who are not in need of services.

5. Model Minority Myth • Due to immigration laws in Asia and the United States preference has been given to those with higher education and skilled labor expertise. • Changes in Asian Nations and United States policy have lead to larger and more diverse immigration from Asian Nations in the last twenty years. • This long held misconception that Asians do not suffer from the same afflictions as the rest of the population has lead to an under representation of Asians in treatment.

6. Asian Assimilation • Language barriers, and difficulty learning English due to it’s vastly different grammatical structure from Asian languages • Having to take available work, which can often be a step down from their work at home. • Intergenerational issues regarding keeping traditions but wanting to adjust and fit into American culture.

7. Assimilation Continued • Intergenerational communication issues • Children bearing the burden of knowing English and navigating their parents through routine activities where English is needed. • Children not being able to fully communicate with their parents because their Asian language proficiency is not on par with their parent’s. • Parent’s stay in isolated communities to be near the familiar while children often explore outside these communities through school and other activities.

8. Assimilation Continued • Facing racial discrimination and derision for many things including but not limited to language abilities. • Regardless of time spent in America or Citizenship status having to answer the question “But where are you from?” • Adjustment due to previous country’s adverse conditions: • War • Poverty • Oppression

9. Outreach • Vital to reducing stigma and shame, and normalizing the idea that people can reach out and get help for addiction problems. • Educating Asians as well as the people who serve them about the signs and symptoms to look for and the best approaches to engaging the client for treatment. • Creating a network where all human service organizations serving Asians see the importance of screening for substance abuse issues, and make proper referrals.

10. Treatment Approaches • Aversion to group counseling; most Asian cultures are extremely private and taught not to share personal problems. • Philosophical disconnect with 12 step approach • Very responsive to the inclusion of medical staff, pharmacological treatment, and integrating overall health into the treatment plan.

11. Treatment Approaches • Important to be aware of the clients’ culture and to recognize and integrate any Eastern approaches the client wants to take. • Studies have demonstrated that treatment utilization by Asian Americans increases substantially when bilingual and culturally appropriate personnel provide the treatment Service.