Does acculturation play a role in addiction among Latinos?
Levels of drug use go up among acculturation groups. Hispanics are 50% less likely to use drugs at all than other ethnicities, (the influence of the church) but four times more likely to get addicted if they use (due to acculturation). Acculturation brings tremendous stress to a family. Often roles are reversed — children who are often more competent in English take on authority roles in the dominant culture, reducing the father to a passive observer. The tremendous loss of place and country, culture, and role create an environment ripe for alcohol and drug use. Young Latino children are more likely to use drugs than their parents. While all youth are at more risk than adults, Latino eighth graders (according to the 2003 Monitoring the Future Study) had the highest rates of marijuana, cocaine and Ecstasy use. How do Latino belief systems influence health and wellness of the community? Wellness for non-acculturated Hispanics is definitely tied to the spiritual state of the person invol
