Diversity Issues in Substance Abuse Treatment and Research [Hardcover]

In this textbook, the author defines what is meant by diversity and reviews what we know today about the effects of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine and crack, hallucinogens and heroin. This is then put into a broader context by examining the development of policy with particular emphasis on those who were perceived to be the most fervent users of substance. This is a useful textbook for classes on substance abuse as well as for seasoned clinicians.

lthough the term diversity is widely used, there is often no agree- A ment as to its meaning or how attention to diversity should be - erationalized within the context of programming or research. This text provides a foundation for the examination of such issues, with sugg- tions for the integration of various approaches into substance use tre- ment programs and research. The impetus for this work derived from multiple interactions over a period of several years with colleagues, s- dents, research participants, and community-based providers, who noted the frequent inattention paid to such concerns in the context of treatment and research, often despite an acknowledgment of a groups particular historical legacy in the United States and the impact of that history on the initiationandprolongationofsubstanceusewithinaspeci?edcommunity, or the barriers to treatment that may have resulted. Chapter 1 de?nes what is meant by diversity through an examination ofrelatedterms,suchasculture,ethnicityrace,sex,gender,and sexual orientation.  Clearly, this discussion does not and cannot re?ect all possible permutations of human existence that re?ect diversity. For instance, although the text does make mention of considerations related to religious differences and cognitive capacity, neither is highlighted as a separatetopic. Additionally,theemphasisonspeci?edgroupsisnotmeant to imply that other groups, such as Euro-Americans or heterosexual men, do not have concerns that may differ from those of othel3ß