Inequality among socioeconomics can affect quite a few different aspects of a person’s life, and this includes addiction recovery. This is even more prevalent among minority groups such as Hispanic and Black communities. According to Health Aff (Millwood), blacks and Hispanics are between three to eight percent less likely to complete substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.
West Coast Recovery Centers continue to prioritize offering quality treatment for everyone. This ensures that everyone, no matter their background, has an equal opportunity for treatment. This article will explore more in-depth how these communities are impacted, why this is important, and what treatment options are available.
What Is Socioeconomics?
Socioeconomic status (SES) is the rank of an individual or a group of people based on a combination of income, education, and current occupation. In most cases, the review of the SES shows inequity because of SES for different resources. This also includes SUD treatment because, unfortunately, it is considered a privilege in order to be able to afford treatment. However, West Coast Recovery Centers takes pride in being able to offer the same opportunities for outpatient treatment to everyone.
The Statistics for Black and Hispanic Household Income and Economic Factors
While SUDs can affect any group, Americans with lower SES are much more likely than their counterparts to struggle with SUD. Socioeconomic status affects not only your physical health but also your mental health.
One of the main reasons why certain racial minority groups, such as blacks and Hispanics, are at a disadvantage with their SES can be due to discrimination. Discrimination can act as a barrier for these specific groups to continue to grow when it comes to their socioeconomic status. For example, in the United States, about 39% of black adolescents and 33% of Hispanic adolescents are living in poverty.
Since a low SES can also be connected to poor physical health, this also causes less treatment for the individual and higher costs. In some cases, there can also be racism and discrimination within healthcare that can also affect the quality of care given to minority groups.
The Costs of Addiction
For someone struggling with SUD, the costs of their addiction can significantly affect their income status. This can also include other factors that come with struggling with an addiction, such as the high cost of medical bills, having to miss work days, and having to pay any potential legal bills. One other impact can be your credit score, which can specifically affect individuals who have pissed payments for their accounts or who have had to take out multiple credit cards with high limits.
All of these factors discussed above can negatively impact your finances. This makes it a lot harder for you to be able to have a lot of options when it comes to SUD treatment programs. West Coast Recovery Centers makes it a priority to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity for treatment, even if they are socioeconomic struggles. We make this available by working with many different insurance agencies to ensure that we are meeting our clients where they are. We can also work with our clients to ensure the best ways to help them attend our outpatient treatment program.
Treatment Options for Low-Income Americans
Unfortunately, the cost of treatment can be one of the biggest barriers for low-income Americans who struggle with SUD. In many cases, an outpatient program is the most ideal because they are more affordable. Here, at the West Coast Recovery Centers, we prioritize outpatient programs for a few reasons. However, one of them is that outpatient programs are much cheaper overall than residential programs. It can be beneficial for both you and your family to understand which type of program will work best for you.
It’s important to note that you are not alone during this decision process; we are here to help you with any of your questions or concerns. It can be daunting to think about attending treatment when you struggle to make ends meet, but there is hope.
Outpatient vs. Residential Programs
Outpatient programs are usually more affordable because they do not require 24/7 treatment or participation. This type of program is most beneficial for individuals with daily responsibilities who can’t leave home or as a more affordable option. They usually consist of group therapy and individual therapy based on your schedule.
On the other hand, residential programs involve sleeping at a location and receiving around-the-clock care. This type of program is the most beneficial for someone with a more intense SUD and who needs extensive help. Residential treatment also can have a stronger feeling of community because you are with others for this period of time who are struggling just as much as you be.
It is extremely unfortunate that minority groups, such as people of color, are struggling with substance use disorders just as much as their white counterparts but receive less treatment. This is due to a few factors, which can include low socioeconomic status and discrimination in healthcare. Here at the West Coast Recovery Centers, we are striving to ensure that everyone has the same opportunity to receive quality outpatient care to meet their needs. We provide individualized outpatient treatment through holistic programs to ensure a successful recovery for our clients. It’s important to understand that you are not alone on this journey. For more information, reach out to us today at (760) 492-6509.