Possible barriers to enrollment in substance abuse treatment among a diverse sample of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Opinions of treatment clients.

This is the Results Article for CTN-0038-Ot.

This study examined motivations and barriers to substance abuse treatment entry and treatment continuation among Asian Americans and Pacific Islander (AAPI) substance users. APPI substance users (N=61) were recruited from substance abuse treatment programs in California and Hawaii. Semi-structured interviews and interviewer-administered surveys assessed barriers and facilitators to entering substance abuse treatment.

Barriers included peer pressure, family influences, and fear of “losing face.” Facilitators included peer support, involvement in the criminal justice system, a perceived need for treatment, and culturally competent substance abuse treatment services. Family and peer influences may act as both facilitators and impediments. AAPI substance using populations face many of the same individual-level and structural and systems barriers to entry to treatment as other substance using populations. However, similar to other racial/ethnic minority groups, it is important to address cultural differences. It may be important to keep in mind the ideas of family harmony, solidarity, and subordination of individual goals for the sake of family goals while designing substance abuse treatments for this population. In addition, integrating culturally sensitive screening tools, brief interventions, and referral to substance abuse treatment in medical care settings and non-traditional settings (e.g., health fairs, community cultural celebrations) may increase the numbers of AAPIs who seek substance abuse treatment.

Related protocols: CTN-0038-Ot