Recorded presentation

Cheryl J. Cherpitel, DrPH¹, Marjorie J. Robertson, PhD², Guilherme Borges, ScD³, and Clara Fleiz Bautista, BA³. (1) Alcohol Research Group, 2000 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709, 510 642-0164, ccherpitel@arg.org, (2) Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, 2000 Hearst Ave., Suite 300, Berkeley, CA 94709, (3) National Institute of Psychiatry, Calzada Mexico Xochimilco No. 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco C.P. 10610, Mexcio DF, Mexico

Drinking patterns are known to change among Mexicans when they move to the U.S., with an increase in alcohol-related problems the longer the length of residency in the U.S. and/or the greater the degree of acculturation. Little is known about either alcohol-related problems or alcohol-use disorders in combination with drug use among Mexican-Americans, however, and no previous study has compared co-morbidity of alcohol and drug use between Mexicans and Mexicans Americans. Data on the co-occurrence of alcohol dependence and of negative consequences of drinking with drug use among Mexican-American respondents in the 1995 and 2000 U.S. National Alcohol Surveys (n=1478) are compared to similar data from the 1998 Mexico National Household Survey on Addictions (n=5711). Controlling for gender, Mexican-Americans were 4 to 5 times more likely to be co-morbid for drug use with dependence and with consequences than Mexicans. Gender differences in prevalence were greater among Mexicans than among Mexican-Americans, with only three females co-morbid on the two measures in Mexico. Among Mexican-Americans significant differences in co-morbidity by both country of birth and degree of acculturation were found for negative consequences but not for dependence, with those with a higher degree of acculturation 4 times more likely than those lower to be co-morbid for drug use and negative consequences of drinking. These data are important for a better understanding of cultural influences on the development of co-morbid substance abuse conditions among Mexicans immigrating to the U.S. and their substance abuse treatment needs.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to discuss cultural influences on the development of co-morbid substance abuse conditions among Mexicans immigrating to the U.S. and related substance abuse treatment needs.

Keywords: Alcohol Problems, Drug Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation