Evaluating a Bilingual Voluntary Community-Based Healthcare Organization

Abstract

The current study compared traditional recovery homes for individuals with substance use disorders to ones that had been modified to feature culturally-congruent communication styles. Findings indicated significant increases in employment income, with the size of the change significantly greater in the culturally-modified houses. Significant decreases in alcohol use over time were also found, with larger decreases over time in the traditional recovery homes. Use of prescribed medications as well as days using drugs significantly decreased over time, but not differentially for those in the two types of recovery homes. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Methodological Pluralism and Mixed Methodology to Strengthen Community Psychology Research: An Example From Oxford House

“…To address these questions, the researchers, with help from the Oxford House organization, conducted a series of qualitative studies that revealed that Latinos had a positive recovery experience in Oxford House and that more Latinos could potentially benefit from participating (Alvarez et al, 2004; Alvarez et al, 2009). The findings of these two qualitative studies influenced the development of a quasi-experiment in which Latino residents of traditional recovery homes were compared to Latino residents of culturally modified homes (Jason, DiGangi, et al, 2013). …”

“…In fact, the Obama administration, through the National Drug Control Strategy (2013), has emphasized the importance of working with stakeholders to develop services that support sustained recovery, such as recovery residences and other peer support services that can be provided by individuals who themselves are in recovery. Further research on the role of housing and recovery residences in substance abuse will enable policy makers and practitioners to better understand the legitimacy and importance of recovery residences and mutually supportive recovery organizations (Jason et al, 2013). …”

The Role of Familismo and Acculturation as Moderators of the Association Between Family Conflict and Substance Abuse on Latino Adult Males

“…57,58 In this vein, Latinos in recovery from substance abuse disorders may benefit from community-based recovery programs that utilize community assets. 42,43 Our findings suggest that screening and assessing substance use should be complemented with the assessment of family conflict, cultural orientation, and key cultural constructs (i.e., Familismo, collectivism). The information gathered at pre and post-treatment may be used for research as well as to inform SAT providers on important aspects to address in their clients’ aftercare plan.…”

“…Recruitment of participants took place from fall 2009 to spring 2012 for a larger NIH-funded study aimed to examine recovery homes for Latinos in recovery from substance abuse. 42,43 A cadre of bilingual/bicultural recruiters and research assistants collaborated in the outreach, recruitment and assessment of Latina/o participants. Research assistants utilized Internet search engines (i.e., Google, Yahoo) and state wide databases of health services and mental health providers to generate a list of substance treatment programs, hospitals, and community-based agencies servicing Latinos.…”

The Anexo in Northern California: An Alcoholics Anonymous-Based Recovery Residence in Latino Communities

“…Among the benefits identified were peer support, a sober living environment, and an emphasis on personal accountability. Intervention studies on bilingual/bicultural Oxford Houses, created by researchers to assess their effectiveness for Latinos, found that using the Spanish language and emphasizing cultural values such as personalismo (i.e., close and personal relationships), simpatía (i.e., harmonious interpersonal relationships), and familismo (i.e., emphasis on family) made the modified recovery residence more culturally appropriate for Latinomale residents (Contreras et al, 2012; Jason et al, 2013). …”