Need for and Receipt of Substance Use Treatment among Blacks

Excerpt

Background: The health and well-being of the United States is improved by the extent to which the entire population has access to substance use treatment if it is needed. Understanding whether non-Hispanic African-Americans or blacks with alcohol and illicit drug abuse problems seek and receive specialty treatment may help improve treatment and outreach programs for this population. Methods: Data from combined 2003 to 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provide a look at the need for and receipt of substance use treatment among African Americans in the United States. Results: This report indicates that African Americans were less likely than persons of other racial and ethnic groups to need alcohol use treatment in the past year (6.8 vs. 7.8 percent) but more likely to need illicit drug use treatment (4.1 vs. 3.0 percent). Among individuals who needed but did not receive treatment in the past year, African Americans were more likely than persons from other racial and ethnic groups to feel the need for and make an effort to get treatment (2.8 vs. 1.4 percent). Conclusion: This report highlights variations in substance use treatment need and receipt between blacks and persons of other racial and ethnic groups. Among those who needed treatment for illicit drug or alcohol use in the past year, African Americans were more likely than persons from other racial and ethnic groups to receive specialty treatment and they were also more likely to recognize their need for treatment and more likely to make an effort to receive specialty treatment.