Black History Month: Substance Use Prevention

Black History Month, which takes place every February, celebrates the achievements made by members of the Black community, including their central role in U.S. history. But it’s also a time to raise awareness, specifically surrounding substance use and mental health illnesses and how the Black community has been impacted by both.  

Black History Month and Addiction

Overall, the rates of mental health conditions and substance use in Black/African American people are similar to those of the general population. The difference is that outcomes for Black/African Americans are poor relative to the general population.¹

The most recent data showed that 2 in 9 Black Americans aged 18 or older struggled with a mental illness and over 2 million had a substance use disorder.² And while national opioid overdose death rates are higher among white people than Black people, studies show that the gap has narrowed. In fact, in the 2-year period between 2015 and 2017, Black individuals living in metro areas experienced the largest absolute and percentage increase in opioid-related drug overdose deaths compared with other races/ethnicities. Death rates involving any opioid rose 103%; death rates involving synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, rose 361%.³

Unfortunately, studies indicate that Black/African American people have lower rates of seeking services to treat mental health and substance use, and those who do, receive evidence-based interventions and psychotherapy at lower rates than the general population. The reason? Literature shows a myriad of possible factors, including stigma, funding and accessibility, lack of knowledge about treatment, cultural competence and provider diversity, and racial bias-stereotyping.¹

Additionally, research stresses the importance of prevention and early intervention. The key, however, is that these prevention and educational resources need to be culturally relevant to reduce stigma related to substance use and mental health challenges and help Black/African American individuals trust the health care system and recognize the benefits of professional treatment.¹

Therefore, during Black History Month—and really, throughout the year—it’s important to discuss substance use prevention and highlight the ongoing need for culturally relevant treatment, a reduction in stigma, and better access to care as it pertains to members of the Black/African American community.

Barriers to Treatment

There are various reasons individuals don’t get care. Stigmas within the Black/African American communities or family networks may prevent some individuals from seeking the help they need for substance use or other mental health disorders. 

Others may not have easy accessibility to care. For instance, individuals living outside of urban areas may lack reliable transportation, may not know where to go for care, or may simply find that providers are too inconvenient to get to for treatment.¹

Financial barriers also exist for many in the Black/African American community. For instance, some research suggests that provider availability can hinge on whether the population being served has higher rates of public versus private insurance. Private insurers tend to reimburse for services at higher rates than public insurers, which can lead to a lack of services or reductions in services in certain areas.¹

Additionally, an absence of culturally competent staff at some rehab facilities can lead some individuals to discontinue treatment.¹

Still, other studies suggest that denial, waiting list assignments, and the fear of losing children prevented individuals in the Black/African American community from seeking treatment.⁴

So how can this all be improved? As previously mentioned, education can go a long way in reducing stigma and helping individuals understand the benefits of evidence-based treatment. But education at the facility level can also be a tremendous benefit. Providers who understand the complex interplay among individuals with substance use disorders within the Black/African American community and their familial networks could help more members of this community seek help.⁴

Heroes Who Impacted Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

There have been several members of the Black community who have positively influenced mental health awareness and addiction prevention and recovery. Some of these include:^5-7

Frederick Douglas. He famously escaped slavery then went on to become an internationally recognized orator, author, newspaper editor, skilled social reformer, and statesman. He talked about his excessive drinking in speeches and made a pledge that he stuck to—to remain sober. Thus, he played a significant role in “the colored temperance movement,” which encouraged African Americans to abstain from alcohol as a way to achieve full citizenship and personal emancipation. 

Malcolm X. “Always high” on marijuana, cocaine, opium, and amphetamines, Malcolm Little (as he was known back then) supported his drug habit as a drug dealer, pimp, and burglar. In 1946, he went to prison for drug-related crimes, and through religious conversion there, he found a pathway to recovery and a new identity (Malcolm X). He was propelled onto the world stage, and because of his own recovery from addiction and through his outreach efforts, he helped many addicted African Americans regain their dignity and find their paths to sobriety.

Bebe Moore Campbell. The American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate worked to shed light on the mental health needs within the Black community. She founded National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-Inglewood in a predominantly Black neighborhood to create a safe space for the people living there to talk about mental health concerns.

Jacki McKinney, M.S.W. A survivor of trauma, addiction, homelessness, and the psychiatric and criminal justice systems, she worked as a family advocate specializing in issues affecting African American women and their children. She is also a founding member of the National People of Color Consumer/Survivor Network.

Altha Stewart, MD. In May 2018, Dr. Stewart made history as she began her term as President of the American Psychiatric Association, making her the first African American to lead the organization. In this role, she works to advance organized psychiatry’s role in responding to social detriments of mental health and finding ways to expand diversity and inclusion in medicine and mental health.

Gayle Porter, PsyD. The former assistant surgeon general is the co-developer of the award-winning Prime Time Sisters Circle, an empirically supported behavioral health intervention geared toward middle-aged African American women. Studies of the intervention show that participants were able to mitigate high-risk health behaviors.

Start Your Recovery Journey This Month

It’s never too late to break the cycle of addiction and regain control of your life. If you or a loved one struggle with substance use and addiction, American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help. Each of AAC’s treatment centers, spread throughout the country, provide evidence-based therapies, co-occurring disorder treatment if you suffer from both a substance use and mental health disorder, and individualized treatment plans to meet your specific needs. So take the first step. Even is you’re not yet ready to talk, you can reach out to connect with one of the compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigators—many of whom are in recovery themselves—via text. The admissions navigator can answer your questions, explain your options, help you understand your insurance coverage, and assist you in beginning your own path to recovery.