Rehab Centers for Hispanics/Latinos

Addiction treatment is a deeply personalized healthcare service that requires precision, empathy, and accessibility for all demographics. One important part of addiction rehab that isn’t addressed enough is culturally competent care. Some care facilities go the extra mile to ensure the needs of underrepresented populations are met before, during, and after treatment.

Keep reading to learn about culturally sensitive care for Hispanic and Latino people including common barriers they face, types of treatment available, and how to choose the right treatment facility for you.

Culturally sensitive care refers to care that addresses the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of patients effectively. Patient needs differ drastically and are unique to the individual, which is why cultural competence is essential in alcohol and drug abuse treatment.

There are several ways in which treatment centers can provide culturally sensitive care and create a culturally competent environment. This can include offering cultural sensitivity training for staff, educating staff on healthcare disparities, hiring a diverse/bilingual staff, offering interpreters, expanding hours of operation, or offering care in locations accessible to broader demographics.

The benefits of culturally competent care are numerous and can greatly improve the overall well-being of patients.

Other benefits include:

• Better communication between patients and staff
• Improved patient-provider trust
• Improved health outcomes
• Improved quality of care
• Better access to care

Another important part of providing culturally sensitive care is allowing patients to express their needs. By listening to a patient’s needs, treatment providers may be able to offer better treatment not only for that patient but other patients who may be similar.

Healthcare professionals should also become familiar with common barriers to care, stigmas, and disparities certain populations face regarding addiction treatment. One way to do this in addition to staff training is by getting involved with the community. By engaging with local groups and communities, there may be better representation and indications as to how care needs to be improved.

It’s important to understand the challenges and risks Hispanic and Latinx people face concerning substance abuse and addiction treatment.

The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 17.4% of Hispanic people 12 years or older had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, up from 12.7% in 2020. This number does not differ much from the overall rate of SUD in Americans (17.3%). That being said, among the 8.9 million Hispanic Americans with SUDs, only 1.9% received treatment for their addiction. The most common disorders were alcohol use disorder, drug use disorder, and marijuana use disorder.

Additionally, 8.2% (3.6 million) of Hispanic people had co-occurring SUDs and mental health conditions.

Even among those who do receive treatment, research has shown lower treatment satisfaction, shorter time spent in treatment, and less successful treatment outcomes among Hispanic people in comparison to white people.

Several factors may influence the high rates of substance abuse in the Hispanic and Latino communities. These can include discrimination, a higher risk of poverty, acculturation, assimilation, and a higher risk of incarceration.

Discrimination may increase the risk of developing an SUD as it can encourage individuals to cope with addictive substances. In addition, poverty is a general risk for addiction and as the Hispanic community experiences it at higher rates than other demographics, this can increase the rate of SUDs as well.

Other obstacles like acculturation and assimilation can contribute to this risk too. Acculturation is the cultural change and exchange of values that occurs between cultures and groups. Similarly, assimilation is the process of adapting to a new culture completely by making changes like learning a new language. While these are not inherently negative processes, the stress and pressures of these events can increase the likelihood of substance use and abuse.

Systemic racism is another problem Latinx people face in many areas including substance use. Compared to white people, Hispanic people are twice as likely to be admitted to a state prison for a drug law violation. While this is a problem in itself, higher incarceration rates come with a higher risk of addiction.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the barriers Hispanic and Latino people face in addiction treatment. We’ll address some specific obstacles below.

As outlined above, there are many unique challenges Hispanic and Latino people face with substance use and abuse. Compounding that, these groups also face barriers and obstacles to accessing treatment.

Two major barriers for Hispanic Americans are a lack of health insurance and financial obstacles. In 2021, Hispanic people had the highest uninsured rate in the nation at 17.7%. Getting proper care can be very difficult without insurance due to the high costs of treatment. This is further exacerbated by financial barriers such as poverty and lower wages. In fact, Latino workers make the lowest median wages among major racial groups, 32% less than their white counterparts, according to the National Equity Alliance.

Another prevalent barrier in the Latinx community is the language barrier and the need for bilingual staff. While many Hispanic Americans are bilingual and some only speak English, one-third are not proficient in English, which can make communication and accessing care very difficult. There is a large need for bilingual staff, though this is not met at the rate at which it is desired. This can discourage people from getting treatment.

Stigmas and fear of legal repercussions also create barriers to addiction treatment for Hispanic and Latino people. There are many stigmas associated with substance abuse and substance abuse treatment including being viewed as a criminal or unable to help oneself. Another unique stigma Hispanic people face due to their ethnicity is that they are drug dealers/users. These alone can discourage people from getting treatment. Additionally, many Latinx people are undocumented and may fear being arrested, deported, or detained when seeking treatment as their illegal status could be discovered.

Finally, due to the system racism and discrimination Hispanic Americans face on a daily basis, many have a mistrust of the healthcare system. After years of receiving poorer, less effective care, some Hispanic people may be uninterested in seeking treatment as they feel it will fail them.

There are many other barriers Latinos may face concerning addiction care, but these are some of the most common and pressing.

While the barriers and challenges Hispanic and Latino people face in addiction treatment can be extremely detrimental, there are certain features of alcohol and drug rehab centers that can cultivate effective care and a culturally sensitive environment.

First and foremost, recovery centers must have bilingual staff and materials. Staff who speak the Spanish language can make communication much more effective with patients and also create a more welcoming environment. Having bilingual signage, labeling, and documents can make care more accessible for the Hispanic population.

Another great feature is cultural competence training for staff. Ensuring that staff is educated on healthcare disparities, cultural barriers, and stigmas can ensure they offer culturally sensitive care. Cultural awareness training and diversity, equity, and inclusion training (DEI) are two great ways to approach this. Well-trained staff can encourage more people to get help.

The inclusion of a patient’s family in the treatment process can also be great for delivering effective care to the Latinx community. Having one’s family involved in your recovery can provide a sense of security and familiarity and also ensure that someone is advocating for your needs.

Lastly, treatment centers with flexible payment plans and assistance with insurance can often provide better care for these populations. Because insurance and financial barriers affect the Hispanic community at higher rates, having features to address these obstacles can make care much more accessible.

When it comes to addiction recovery, types of treatment vary widely and are designed to address different needs throughout the recovery process. Depending on your needs and the extent of your addiction, you may seek a particular treatment service. Common treatment options include inpatient treatment and outpatient care, detox services, holistic and alternative therapies, and support groups and aftercare.

All addiction treatment can fit into one of two categories: inpatient or outpatient. They are both effective methods of treatment but address different needs via different modalities.

Inpatient rehab, also called residential treatment, is considered to be the highest level of care as it offers 24/7 supervision. Participants in inpatient care live in the care facility for the duration of their treatment program and receive a combination of treatment services like group counseling, individual therapy, detox services, and more.

Outpatient rehab is often used as a step-down treatment following inpatient treatment. As a disclaimer, some people start with outpatient care if inpatient care is not right for them.

Outpatient treatment takes place at a care facility that participants travel to regularly. As a result, people with less severe addictions or those who cannot leave home for the duration of their program may opt for outpatient rehab. There are also approaches in between inpatient and outpatient like intensive outpatient programs and partial hospitalization programs.

Both inpatient and outpatient programs may offer services to address your behavioral health and mental health as well as any co-occurring mental illnesses. Mental health treatment not only treats mental health disorders but can also treat addiction as co-occurring conditions can cause or worsen substance abuse.

Offered at the start of a treatment program, detoxification or detox services are provided to help the body process and remove any addictive substances. Detox services can be inpatient or outpatient.

Detoxing from addictive substances like alcohol and drugs can be very challenging and even very dangerous to do on your own when you have a physical or psychological dependence. This is because dependency causes withdrawal symptoms when you stop or reduce your substance intake suddenly. Certain withdrawal symptoms can cause severe health problems or even be fatal.

Consequently, most treatment centers offer detox services to make the process safer and more comfortable. During detox, your providers will monitor your vitals, administer any necessary medications, and help you manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

In addition to traditional treatment services, some people choose to pursue holistic or alternative treatments as part of their recovery.

Holistic treatment is care that addresses the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of an individual simultaneously. The idea is to treat the person as a whole rather than just their symptoms. Holistic care can vary but can include services like breathwork, meditation, herbal remedies, and journaling.

On the other hand, alternative therapies are non-traditional therapies that can help treat addiction. There are many kinds, but some common alternative therapies include animal-assisted therapy, acupuncture, music therapy, art therapy, and yoga.

After your treatment program, you also may encounter services like support groups and aftercare.

Support groups or 12-step meetings are a great way to create a sense of accountability and make connections with new people. These meetings allow people with addictions to discuss their recovery journey, failures, successes, worries, and fears in a group of their peers.

Aftercare, or continuing care, is the recovery care you continue after your program. This can include moving into sober housing, continuing therapy, joining support groups, continuing medication-assisted treatment, or employing relapse prevention strategies.

Now that we’ve addressed the features that make an effective recovery center and types of treatment, let’s take a look at how to choose the right rehab facility for you.

A great place to start when choosing a treatment center is to check the facility’s accreditations and certifications. These can help ensure a center offers evidence-based and up-to-date care. Some accreditations to look out for include Joint Commission accreditation and the Commission for Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF).

We also encourage you to take a look at testimonials and client reviews on Google or Yelp to get a better idea of the patient experience. This can help you narrow down your search. Another important thing to look out for is a diverse, bilingual staff and staff training on cultural sensitivity or DEI.

Don’t be afraid to ask treatment centers questions before choosing one:

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

It’s important to be aware of local resources and support networks that can not only help you access culturally competent care but also support you before, during, and after treatment.

National and local resources for addiction rehab:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Treatment Locator
• USA.gov – Treatment Locator
• United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Recovery Resources
• RehabNet.com – Lists of treatment centers by state

Support networks and community organizations:

• Alcoholics Anonymous – Find AA near you
• Narcotics Anonymous – Find NA near you
• National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
• The National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Online resources and hotlines for immediate assistance:

• SAMHSA – National Helpline
• RehabNet.com – Helpline
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 888-628-9454 (Spanish) 800-273-8255 (English)
• Hollywood and Vine Recovery
• Substance Abuse in the Latinx Community
• Alcohol and Depression: Jorge’s Journey to a Better Life

Culturally sensitive care is the key to success in the treatment of addiction for Hispanic and Latino communities in America. Hispanic Americans face many challenges and barriers to care when it comes to addiction treatment. Luckily, with culturally competent care, the unique needs of this population can be addressed properly.

Have more questions about culturally sensitive care for you or a loved one? Don’t wait, call our helpline today.