Rehab Centers for African Americans/Black People

Much like with all other sectors of healthcare, addiction treatment is a care service that requires individualized approaches, empathy, and cultural competence.

Addiction rehab centers must be equipped to deliver culturally sensitive care that addresses the unique challenges and needs of underrepresented populations. As a result, some treatment facilities prioritize culturally competent care to provide better care for specific demographics.

Read on to learn about culturally competent addiction care for African Americans and Black people including unique obstacles, how to find the right recovery center, and types of treatment available.

Black people in America face unique challenges in many contexts, especially substance abuse and addiction treatment.

Looking at the big picture, African Americans are more likely to experience certain risk factors for substance use disorders (SUD) like poverty, homelessness, and incarceration. Regardless, drug use rates among Black people are similar to that of other races. That being said, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that 2.3 million African Americans 18 or older had an SUD as of 2019.

On a similar note, Black people are much more likely to be incarcerated for drug law violations, making up 30% of those arrested and nearly 40% of those incarcerated for such charges according to the Drug Policy Alliance. Incarceration can prevent individuals from accessing rehabilitation services and even increase the likelihood of fatal overdose after release.

Black people are also disproportionately affected by overdose, with overdose deaths among the Black community increasing by 44% in 2020. Additionally, Black men 65 and older had an overdose death rate about seven times higher than that of their white counterparts in 2020.

When it comes to substance abuse treatment, Black people face additional challenges. Systemic racism and discrimination leech into healthcare daily, with Black people generally receiving worse care and poor health equity in comparison to white people.

In fact, for addiction treatment in particular, Black people are 77% less likely to be prescribed buprenorphine and more likely to be prescribed methadone, both of which are medications used to treat opioid use disorder. They are both effective medications, but buprenorphine is generally considered safer among the two and has a less strict dosing schedule.

There are plenty of additional barriers African Americans and Black people face, several of which we’ll explore below.

In addition to the challenges the Black community faces regarding substance abuse, Black people also experience countless barriers to accessing treatment which can prevent them from receiving adequate care.

First and foremost, there are many stigmas and misconceptions surrounding addiction in the Black community. As mentioned previously, Black people are more likely to be incarcerated for drug law violations. This is in part due to the stigma that Black people are prone to engaging in criminal activity.

As a result, Black people often face more shame, judgment, and discrimination when struggling with a substance addiction. This can lead to imprisonment and inadequate care which can discourage individuals from seeking help.

Another barrier the African American community faces in accessing rehab is financial obstacles. Because Black Americans are more likely to experience poverty than other racial groups, they may have trouble accessing care due to the high cost. Similarly, many Black people lack health insurance, which can create another financial barrier to accessing treatment. Without insurance, it can be almost impossible to get proper care.

Lastly, Black people face geographic and transportation barriers at higher rates. Many care facilities are located in less diverse and wealthy areas, which can make it difficult for Black communities to find nearby treatment. Additionally, the need for transportation to these facilities can create another barrier to getting timely care.

With the unique obstacles Black people face regarding addiction treatment outlined above, culturally competent care must be widely available. But what exactly is culturally competent care?

Culturally competent care is healthcare that effectively meets social, cultural, and linguistic patient needs. Of course, this looks different for every patient, which is why cultural sensitivity training in healthcare is so vital.

Some examples of interventions used to support culturally competent care include:

• Hiring a diverse staff
• Expanding hours of operation
• Offering interpreters
• Training staff on cultural sensitivity and awareness
• Offering care in easily accessible locations
• Educating staff on disparities

Providing culturally competent care is so important for the health and well-being of individuals as it can improve patient-provider trust, improve the quality of care, improve communication, and improve health outcomes.

In addition to the tactics listed above, being educated and aware of stigmas, barriers, and disparities associated with different demographics is often the first step in providing culturally sensitive care. It is vital that providers listen to their patients’ needs and concerns when offering treatment and support.

It is also important that healthcare providers get involved with local communities that can address the needs and concerns of particular groups. Many times, a lack of cultural awareness and sensitivity is due to a lack of representation. By allowing community participation, care providers are often able to provide more effective culturally competent care.

When facing additional challenges and barriers, the already difficult task of finding a reliable rehab facility can be even more overwhelming. There are a few characteristics you may want to keep in mind when looking for a care facility well suited to treat substance addiction in Black people.

First, it’s important that a treatment center is well-accredited and certified. Certain accreditations like the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation and the Joint Commission accreditation are both indicators of a reputable recovery center. Other certifications and offerings of evidence-based care can also be good signs.

In regard to rehab for African Americans and Black people in particular, you may want to look out for treatment facilities that have a diverse staff and require their staff to take cultural sensitivity or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training.

Another great way to determine if a rehab facility is right for you is by looking at client reviews and testimonials. This can help you get a better idea of what the patient experience is like at a particular rehab center.

It’s also important to ask potential recovery facilities questions pertaining to treatment and accommodations.

Here are a few to start with:

• Do you provide culturally competent care?
• What certifications and licenses do your staff have?
• Do you provide cultural sensitivity/DEI training for staff?
• Do you allow pets?
• What are your visitor restrictions?
• Do you offer payment plans/scholarships?
• What is the cost of your treatment program?
• Do you accept insurance?
• What aftercare support do you offer?
• What do your housing arrangements look like? Will I be sharing a room?
• How will my treatment plan be developed?
• Is your program inpatient or outpatient?
• How long is your treatment program?

On another note, it’s important that your family and community are involved in the recovery process. Having people in your corner to help you advocate for the care you need, raise concerns, and support you in your journey can make an immense difference.

There is a vast array of treatment services available for substance abuse. You and your doctor may discuss which treatment modality is best suited for your needs and you may choose to receive a combination of rehab methods. Some general types of treatment include inpatient and outpatient care, holistic and alternative care, and faith-based and spiritual care.

When it comes to addiction rehab, treatment typically fits into one of two categories: inpatient treatment or outpatient treatment. Both are effective methods but have key differences that may make one option better suited for certain individuals.

Considered the highest level of care, inpatient rehab requires participants to live in a care facility for the duration of their treatment program. This allows for round-the-clock care and supervision. Inpatient care typically offers a personalized, comprehensive treatment plan involving evidence-based services like therapy, counseling, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and detoxification services.

On the other hand, outpatient care allows participants to continue living at home. Outpatient participants travel to rehab centers several times a week for treatment rather than living in the treatment center. Outpatient treatment offers similar services to those of inpatient care but is better suited for people who may not be able to leave home for extended periods of time. Outpatient programs are also sometimes recommended after the completion of an inpatient program.

Some people choose to pursue holistic and alternative treatment methods rather than traditional methods.

Holistic treatment is designed to address the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of an individual in addiction recovery. The idea is to treat the person as a whole rather than just the symptoms. Holistic treatment centers tend to focus on more homeopathic treatments and approaches such as nutrition, meditation, and acupuncture.

Alternative treatment is any addiction treatment method that is not traditional. This can include alternative therapies like art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, or yoga. Other alternative treatment methods include breathwork and psychoactive substances like ayahuasca or ibogaine.

People who are religious or spiritual may choose to pursue faith-based or spiritual treatment methods in their recovery journey.

There are many care facilities that offer faith-based treatment programs designed to address the needs of people with specific religious beliefs. Some faith-based programs focus on one religion, while others are more generally focused on spirituality.

Faith-based treatment typically offers spiritual enrichment services and faith-based practices in addition to traditional treatment methods, though it depends on the facility. They may also alter traditional methods to fit the beliefs of a particular religion. Faith-based treatment can help provide a sense of purpose and safety during recovery.

As mentioned above, it’s important for your family and community to be involved in your recovery process, especially when it comes to treatment for African Americans and Black people.

Having your family involved in your recovery process can help ensure you get the culturally competent care you need. Your loved ones may be able to speak up if you’re not receiving adequate care and ask for the things you need for your recovery.

Likewise, having support from your community can be immensely helpful. Community-based support groups and resources are a great way to get support from your community. This can help you access proper care and treatment and build connections with your peers.

All of this is part of building a support network for your recovery journey. Having people you know you can count on during this difficult time can make the process less intimidating and lonely. Additionally, some people find they have a better sense of accountability to follow through with treatment and recovery when they have a good support network.

Another important part of addiction recovery is addressing mental health and co-occurring disorders. Substance addiction commonly occurs alongside mental health issues, known as co-occurring conditions.

This is because mental illness can be the cause of SUDs or exacerbate addiction. General common co-occurring disorders include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorders, depression, and anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Research has supported that depression and anxiety are 20% more likely in the Black community, though co-occurring disorders vary widely between individuals.

In order to address co-occurring disorders, many rehab facilities offer dual diagnosis treatment which simultaneously treats addiction and mental health disorders. Treatment often includes counseling and behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

By treating the physical and mental sides of addiction at the same time, participants are able to learn new, healthy thought patterns and behaviors that encourage long-term sobriety. When you learn healthy coping mechanisms for your mental health condition, you’re less likely to reach for addictive substances to deal with stresses and triggers.

After completing a substance addiction treatment program, it’s important to understand the importance of ongoing support to avoid relapse and encourage long-term recovery.

Relapse prevention is one of the most important parts of the recovery process and is any tactic used to prevent relapse. This can include having a good support system, taking up new and healthy hobbies, making new friends, and knowing how to identify a relapse.

Another key part of life after treatment is aftercare. Aftercare or continuing care is any treatment service you continue after your treatment program. The idea is to smooth the transition from treatment to your day-to-day life. Aftercare can include regular therapy sessions, alternative therapies, continuing MAT, and joining local support groups or attending 12-step meetings. Some people even choose to live in sober housing temporarily.

The Black community faces many challenges and barriers when it comes to substance addiction and addiction recovery. As a result, treatment centers that offer culturally competent care are vital to the overall health and well-being of Black people with addictions.

If you’re in need of more guidance regarding culturally sensitive addiction treatment, give our helpline a call today.