Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026
09:29
Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
1.8K
A "refugee paradox" for substance use disorders?
Christopher P Salas-Wright1, Michael G Vaughn2
1School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd D3500, Austin, TX 78712-0358, United States.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|July 8, 2014
Summary
Refugees in the U.S. show a "refugee paradox," with significantly lower rates of substance use disorders (SUDs) compared to native-born Americans and non-refugee immigrants. This protective effect varies by gender and length of stay.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited research exists on substance use disorders (SUDs) among refugees in the U.S.
- The
- immigrant paradox
- regarding substance use is not well-established for refugee populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of SUDs in U.S. refugees compared to non-refugee immigrants and native-born Americans.
- To explore how gender and duration of refugee status influence SUD risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.
- Analyzed lifetime SUD prevalence in refugees (n=428), non-refugee immigrants (n=4955), and native-born Americans (n=29,267).
Main Results:
- Refugees were 3-6 times less likely to meet criteria for all SUDs compared to native-born Americans.
- Refugees had lower odds of alcohol, cocaine, hallucinogen, and opioid/heroin use disorders than non-refugee immigrants.
- Gender moderated the refugee-SUD relationship; longer duration was linked to increased alcohol SUD risk but decreased cannabis/illicit drug SUD risk.
Conclusions:
- Findings support a
- refugee paradox
- for SUDs in the U.S. adult population.
- Refugees exhibit substantially lower SUD prevalence than native-born Americans and, to a lesser extent, non-refugee immigrants.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
605
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
605
01:17Drug Dependence
1.9K
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
1.9K
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
1.6K
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
1.6K
01:30Stress and Mental Health
1.7K
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
1.7K
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
966
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
966
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
1.6K
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
1.6K