Comparison of treatment utilization and outcome for Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the use of formal alcohol treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) by Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites, and to compare ethnic groups on posttreatment functioning.


METHODS
Data from a publicly funded substance abuse treatment center in New Mexico were used to investigate possible differences between Hispanic (n = 46) and non-Hispanic white (n = 62) men (n = 76) and women (n = 32) on percent days alcohol therapy and AA attendance for 6 months after study recruitment.


RESULTS
Hispanic clients were more often male (80% vs 63%), had fewer years of education (mean = 11.6 vs 12.6) and were less likely to live alone (7% vs 29%) than were non-Hispanic white clients. The heavy drinking (drinks per drinking day mean = 16.7; standard drink units in prior 90 days mean = 941.00) and few abstinent days (mean = 0.44) that characterized both groups at intake improved over time with Hispanics engaging in more formal alcohol therapy sessions but attending fewer AA meetings than non-Hispanic whites over the course of 6 months of follow-up. Attendance at treatment and AA were separately associated with decreased intensity and quantity of alcohol use, but not abstinent days, for both ethnic groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Hispanic and non-Hispanic white clients used somewhat different treatment strategies to deal with alcohol-related problems, these paths, however, ultimately resulted in similar posttreatment drinking outcomes (frequency, intensity and quantity of alcohol consumption).
Arroyo
J A
JA
Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico at Albuquerque & Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions, 87106, USA.
Westerberg
V S
VS
Tonigan
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000436:Alcoholics Anonymous; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013695:Temperance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*