A comparison of Caribbean and non-Caribbean clients in a residential addiction treatment facility in Antigua, West Indies.
The first 50 Caribbean clients admitted to a private, multicultural, not for profit addiction treatment center in Antigua, West Indies, were compared with the first 100 non-Caribbean clients admitted. There was no significant difference in age, 38 years (18-61 years) versus 40 years (22-63 years), or gender, 74% versus 67% male. Caribbean clients were more likely to be Black, 68% versus 2%, P < .001. Caribbean clients were less likely to have a prior psychiatric diagnosis, 18% versus 43%, P < .01, or to have been in prior treatment program, 22% versus 64%, P < .001. Caribbean and non-Caribbean clients were equally likely to be polydrug users, 48% versus 50%, and to use alcohol as a primary drug, 52% versus 51%. Caribbean clients were more likely to use cocaine, 30% versus 11%, P < .01, and marijuana, 12% versus 0%, P < .001, but less likely to use heroin, 6% versus 30%, P < .001 or pills, 0% versus 8%, P < .05. Caribbean clients were less likely to have elevated MCV, 24% versus 57%, P < .001 or serum transaminases, 23% versus 46%, P < .01. Differences between groups in this multicultural setting warrant further investigation.
Martin
Thomas C
TC
Crossroads Centre in Antigua, P.O. Box W219, Woods Centre, Antigua, West Indies. martint@candw.ag
Klinedinst
Michelle
M
Josiah-Martin
Judith A
JA
Burke-Forde
Ashley
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000958:Antigua and Barbuda; D044383:Black People; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy*