Date of Award
5-2021
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Social Work
Department
School of Social Work
First Reader/Committee Chair
Chang, Janet
Abstract
In 2018, of 1.3 million Latinx adults in the United States facing concurrent issues with substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders (MHD) 93% remained untreated for either diagnosis. This is concerning since Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) data reveals that this population is at greater risk for suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. They also face structural barriers such as employment, housing, legal involvement, and insurability that further impede access to treatment.
This study’s purpose was to examine barriers to accessing treatment for Latinx populations confronting co-occurring SUDs and MHDs. This study used a qualitative design and data were collected from telephone or zoom interviews with five Latinxs who identified themselves as dually diagnosed (DD) within the Inland Empire of Southern California.
This study found that participants reported stigma from the community and cultural forces as a major barrier to treatment. The study revealed that participants viewed structural factors such as being uninsured, being incarcerated, having transportation difficulties, and having work scheduling difficulties as barriers to treatment. This study also indicated difficulties in diagnosing a DD, which often led to an inability to consider how one diagnosis might impact another and ultimately delayed actions to treat a DD.
It is recommended that social workers ensure understanding of unique DD experiences so they can proactively assess for substance use in early adolescence. To address structural barriers, this study recommends universal access to medical coverage for all individuals, which ultimately foster advanced preventative interventions for DD individuals.
Recommended Citation
Banuelos, Pedro, "TREATMENT ACCESS FOR DUAL DIAGNOSIS SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS" (2021). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 1177.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1177
Included in
Behavioral Medicine Commons, Chicana/o Studies Commons, Clinical and Medical Social Work Commons, Clinical Epidemiology Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Community Health Commons, Community Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Counselor Education Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, Diagnosis Commons, Emergency Medicine Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, Latina/o Studies Commons, Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling Commons, Mental Disorders Commons, Multicultural Psychology Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons, Psychiatry Commons, Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons, Social Justice Commons, Social Work Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons