M Pinedo1, A P Villatoro2. 1. Department of Kinesiology & Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 2109 San Jacinto Blvd., Stop D3700, Austin, TX 78712-1415, United States of America. Electronic address: mpinedo@austin.utexas.edu. 2. Latino Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, 210 W. 24th Street, Stop F9200, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the role of perceived treatment need in explaining racial/ethnic disparities in treatment utilization for a substance use disorder (SUD). METHODS: We pooled data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health survey for years 2014-2017. The analytic sample included adult white, Black, and Latino participants with a past-year SUD (n = 16,393). Multivariable logistic regressions examined racial/ethnic disparities in perceived treatment need-the perception of needing mental health and/or SUD treatment services within the past 12 months-and utilization of past-year substance use, mental health, and any treatment. RESULTS: Latinos with SUD were less likely to perceive a need for treatment than whites. Black and Latino participants, relative to white participants, had lower odds of past-year treatment utilization, regardless of treatment type. In models stratified by perceived treatment need, racial/ethnic differences in the use of past-year SUD treatment and any treatment service were only significant among persons without a perceived need for treatment. We found no disparities in use of mental health treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with SUD have low perceived treatment need overall but especially among Latinos. Furthermore, Black and Latino disparities in SUD treatment use may be driven in part by lower perceived need for treatment. Interventions that promote better perceived need and delivery models that strengthen the integration of SUD treatment in mental health services may help to reduce these disparities.
OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the role of perceived treatment need in explaining racial/ethnic disparities in treatment utilization for a substance use disorder (SUD). METHODS: We pooled data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health survey for years 2014-2017. The analytic sample included adult white, Black, and Latino participants with a past-year SUD (n = 16,393). Multivariable logistic regressions examined racial/ethnic disparities in perceived treatment need-the perception of needing mental health and/or SUD treatment services within the past 12 months-and utilization of past-year substance use, mental health, and any treatment. RESULTS: Latinos with SUD were less likely to perceive a need for treatment than whites. Black and Latino participants, relative to white participants, had lower odds of past-year treatment utilization, regardless of treatment type. In models stratified by perceived treatment need, racial/ethnic differences in the use of past-year SUD treatment and any treatment service were only significant among persons without a perceived need for treatment. We found no disparities in use of mental health treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with SUD have low perceived treatment need overall but especially among Latinos. Furthermore, Black and Latino disparities in SUD treatment use may be driven in part by lower perceived need for treatment. Interventions that promote better perceived need and delivery models that strengthen the integration of SUD treatment in mental health services may help to reduce these disparities.
Authors: Bridget F Grant; Rise B Goldstein; Sharon M Smith; Jeesun Jung; Haitao Zhang; Sanchen P Chou; Roger P Pickering; Wenjun J Ruan; Boji Huang; Tulshi D Saha; Christina Aivadyan; Eliana Greenstein; Deborah S Hasin Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2014-12-08 Impact factor: 4.492