Substance Abuse Disorder
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Substance Use Disorder
Question One
Opioid use disorder among the LGBTQ community has been increasing across the United States. Statistics from the 2015 survey by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicate that bisexuals, gays, lesbians, queer, and transgender people across all age brackets may have misused prescription of pain relievers compared to heterosexuals. Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT) is the best intervention to address opioid disorder among the LGBTQ community. Due to the multifactorial nature of opioid use and this population’s complex needs, there are issues and concerns during MAT. For example, the effect of MAT to hormonal adherence therapy, antiretroviral therapy for transgender and minority groups living with HIV, and the pre-exposure prophylaxis are some of the critical issues to be considered when using Medication-Assisted Therapy among the LGBTQ community suffering from opioid disorder (National LGBT Health Education Center, 2018).
Understanding patient beliefs towards MAT and the behavioral health interventions are key metrics to be accorded due attention when treating opioid addiction among the LGBTQ community. Trauma-informed care is meant to address unruly behavior, such as sexual violence caused by Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among LGBTQ people (National LGBT Health Education Center, 2018). Trauma and stress targeted integrated strategy is efficient in dealing with opioid addiction. Evidence-based interventions such as screening patients having trauma history, linkage to appropriate treatment resources, and the development of trauma-sensitive healthcare environments are necessary for addressing challenges associated with opioid disorder among the LGBTQ community.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the best strategy to address opioid use disorder (National LGBT Health Education Center, 2018). This can be accomplished by focusing on risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV risk reduction interventions, and encouraging motivation and commitment towards MAT are ideal ingredients of dealing with the challenges of opioid use disorder among LGBTQ people.
Question Two
Many risk factors are associated with the highest rates of substance use and mental disorder among American Indians (AI) and Alaska Natives (AN) compared to other racial or native groups in the United States of America. Residing on tribal lands has made it hard for such communities to access better behavioral health services (Park-Lee et al. 2018). Some of the tribal lands are very remote and cover vast tracts of land, making it hard for them to access beat mental care facilities. Trust lands are characterized by sickening behavioral challenges towards mental health and healthcare services. Historical trauma is another crucial determinant of increased substance use and mental disorder rates among AI and AN (Park-Lee et al. 2018). Their regions have been characterized by intergenerational massacres, forced relocation from their lands, forced removal of their children from boarding schools compared to their counterparts, defective cultural practices, and ban on the native language. Historical federal policies (such as the 1956 Indian Relocation Act) made it hard for AI and AN to access better economic opportunities, being forced to reside in crowded places and living in impoverished communities.
Reclamation of traditions and cultural practices will improve their federal status translating into a stable mental state. This will reduce the effects of discrimination caused by high rates of unemployment, impoverishment, and homelessness. Research on AI/AN resilience is necessary to understand their unique mental needs (Park-Lee et al. 2018). It is vital to research the “intersection of health disparities and tribal land residency.” Having nationally representative data on the state of substance and mental status will enable healthcare providers to leverage evidenced interventions such as trauma-based care and cognitive behavioral therapy. Poverty reduction programs should be implemented to improve the economic situation of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
References
National LGBT Health Education Center. (June 2018). Addressing Opioid Disorder among LGBTQ Populations.
Park-Lee, E., Lipari, R. N., Bose, J., Hughes, A., Greenway, K., Glasheen, C., Herman-Stahl, M., Penne, M., Pemberton, M., & Cajka, J. (2018). Substance use and mental health issues among U.S.-born American Indians or Alaska Natives residing on and off tribal lands. CBHSQ Data Review. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/