Formal and informal substance use treatment utilization amongst Asian Americans

Asian Americans (AA) in need of treatment for alcohol or substance use utilize substance use treatment at lower rates than all other races/ethnicities. This study tested if the lack of utilization is offset by greater informal substance use treatment utilization.

Analysis utilized pooled data from 2015 to 2019 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in individuals aged ≥18. Unadjusted proportions, confidence intervals, and adjusted multivariate logistical regression examined the relationship of race/ethnicity (Asian, White, Black, and Hispanic) and substance use treatment in individuals with 12-month substance/alcohol use or AUD/SUD. Classifications of treatment were formal (doctor's office, mental health center, hospital, rehabilitation facility) or informal (self-help group, home/family/friends, school/college, or Church/religious/spiritual influence).

AA with AUD/SUD were significantly less likely to utilize formal substance use than individuals who were White (aOR = 0.28, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in informal treatment utilization between AA with alcohol use, substance use or AUD/SUD and individuals of any other race/ethnicity. AA with AUD/SUD utilized combined (both informal and formal) services significantly less than individuals who were White (aOR = 0.31, p < 0.05).

Informal services did not offset the limited substance use treatment engagement in AA. More work is needed to better and understand low rates of substance use treatment in this population.