title: Epidemiology of substance abuse among migrants compared to native born population in primary care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research in the United States tends to indicate that immigrants from most sociogeographic regions have considerably lower substance use disorder (SUD) rates than native born individuals. We aimed to analyze the differences between immigrants and native born population regarding substance abuse and dependence. This objective was approached using data from the ARACAT cross-sectional multicenter study in primary care settings of two different Spanish regions: Aragon and Catalonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three thousand six patients (1,503 immigrants randomly selected and 1,503 native born paired by age and gender) were interviewed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reported substance abuse and dependence were more prevalent in the native born population than in immigrants (alcohol abuse 5.1% vs. 2.6% p < .0001, alcohol dependence 3.3% vs. 2.6% n.s., other abuse 3.4% vs. .4% p < .0001, other dependence .5% vs. 4.0% p < .0001). Large differences were detected between different ethnic groups. Sociodemographic characteristics such as female gender, older age, higher level of education or stable housing (among others), were found to be protective against different SUDs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immigrants have lower levels of alcohol and substance abuse, however, those that do consume show higher levels of both comorbid mental disorders and problematic alcohol/substance use. It would appear to be the case that issues specific to immigrant cultures, such as extreme stigmatization of substance and alcohol use, may serve to promote social marginalization and inhibit treatment access.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, CIBERSAM, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Adil
authors: A
authors: Qureshi
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Garcia Campayo
authors: Francisco Jose
authors: FJ
authors: Eiroa-Orosa
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Sobradiel
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Collazos
authors: Mercedes
authors: M
authors: Febrel Bordejé
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Roncero
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Andrés
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Casas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D044382:Population Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D065840:Protective Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult