Reasons for not seeking help for substance use disorders: Ethnic group differences

Objectives: A small proportion of individuals with substance use disorders receive help. Many others consider seeking help but do not follow through. This research examined reasons for not seeking help among individuals from different ethnic groups with a previous or current substance use disorder. Methods: Participants (n=1,369) were selected from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) on the basis of having met criteria for a prior-to-past year diagnosis of an alcohol or drug use disorder, and having considered seeking help but not doing so. Chi-square analyses were used to examine differences in the reasons endorsed for not seeking help. Results: Differences across ethnic groups were observed for (1) the belief about handling the problem on one's own, (2) insurance coverage, (3) waiting too long for treatment, and (4) not knowing where to go to get help. Latinos were the least likely to endorse handling the problem on one's own, yet they and African Americans were more likely than Whites to identify external barriers such as the lack of insurance payment for treatment and not knowing where they could go to get help. Additionally, African Americans were most likely to endorse having to wait too long to receive treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that external barriers related to limited insurance coverage and availability of treatment services disproportionately affect Latinos and African Americans. Efforts to increase help-seeking for substance use disorders need to focus on lowering these barriers in order to be successful.