Asian American and Pacific Islander substance use treatment completion.

Abstract

Mental health professionals and administrators work to improve substance use treatment for racially and ethnically diverse populations. However, a national comparison study of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and non-AAPIs substance use outpatient treatment completion has received little attention. The present study examined treatment completion by comparing AAPI clients to White and Latinx clients, and identified demographic and treatment-related moderating factors associated with treatment completion using discharge data from the Treatment Episode Data Sets-Discharge (TEDS-D). A retrospective analysis of AAPI treatment completion was conducted using logistic regression for the years 2006-2011 (N = 2,356,883). AAPIs were significantly more likely to complete treatment than non-AAPIs when controlling for all study variables in the multivariate model, Wald χ[1]2 = 158.60, p < .001, AOR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.15-1.21. Additionally, we found a moderating effect (Wald χ[2]2 = 69.65, p < .001) with large effect sizes in treatment completion differences between the three comparison groups (AAPI, White, and Latinx). Results demonstrated AAPI clients are more likely to complete treatment than White and Latinx clients with small effect sizes. Additionally, being female, an adolescent, in school, living with parents or adult guardians, having more frequent substance use, and being admitted to treatment at younger age in the AAPI samples were associated with higher treatment completion percentages with clinically meaningful effect sizes. These findings may help to enhance and expand culturally competent psychological services to AAPIs at risk for substance use problems. (PsycINFO Database Record

Substance use disorders and treatment in Asian American and Pacific Islander women: A scoping review

“…Our search yielded two articles reporting on SUD treatment outcomes data for the intersection of gender and AAPI identity 37,38 . In an analysis of data from SAMHSA's Treatment Episode Data Sets‐Discharge (TEDS‐D) from 2006 to 2011, Garrison and colleagues 37 examined predictors of outpatient substance use treatment completion by racial/ethnic group. Results showed that compared to participants identifying as White, Latinx, and “other” racial/ethnic groups, AAPIs were significantly more likely to complete substance use treatment.…”

“…Results showed that compared to participants identifying as White, Latinx, and “other” racial/ethnic groups, AAPIs were significantly more likely to complete substance use treatment. In regard to gender, AAPI women were more likely to complete treatment when compared to White and Latinx women, whereas male completion percentages were similar regardless of racial/ethnic identity 37 . This study restricted analyses to patients receiving outpatient care and excluded individuals receiving medication treatment for OUD.…”

“…Despite evidence that AAPIs, particularly AAPI women, may be more hesitant toward seeking out substance use treatment, there is some evidence that AAPI individuals have similar, if not better, treatment retention rates compared to other racial groups 37 . However, there is a dearth of literature examining treatment outcomes for AAPI women.…”

Racial/Ethnic disparities in drug use during the COVID 19 pandemic: Moderating effects of non-profit substance use disorder service expenditures

“…However, Asians who experienced anxiety/depression increasing to mild levels showed more frequent drug use even when located in communities with greater levels of non-profit SUD service spending. Garrison et al’s study may partially explain these findings on Asians [ 33 ]. Asian participants of the Garrison et al’s study were likely to seek treatment only if their self-reported substance use became "severe” [ 33 ].…”

“…Garrison et al’s study may partially explain these findings on Asians [ 33 ]. Asian participants of the Garrison et al’s study were likely to seek treatment only if their self-reported substance use became "severe” [ 33 ]. Asians did not seek the SUD service until their mental health and substance use issues reached a severe level.…”