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African Americans and Chemical Dependency

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African Americans and Chemical Dependency
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African Americans and Chemical Dependency
Abstract
Chemical dependence is the use of chemicals, which may include alcohol, drugs, and other substances that may affect normal physiologic or psychological processes, in an uncontrolled, compulsive way. It is often referred to as substance abuse. Substance abuse has been the subject of many a discussion, due to the adverse effect it has on human health, relationships, and many other spheres of human life.
This paper will evaluate the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse in differing populations, with a special emphasis on African Americans. This paper will also review the steps of care that victims of chemical dependency are taken through in the rehabilitation program, with a focus on Africa American populations. Additionally, the paper will review the professional resources that are used in the treatment of chemical dependency victims among African Americans, and finally, the paper will explore the issues that impact treatment and recovery from chemical dependency among African Americans.

African Americans and Chemical Dependency
African Americans have historically been consistently ranked among the racial/ethnic groups with the highest rates of substance abuse. In recent years, however, the statistics seem to have improved when compared to overall ratings. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), alcohol use seems to be lowering among black adults. The rates among black adults were 44.3 percent against a national average of 55.2 percent. Binge alcohol use also seems to be generally lower among black adults than among the general population, at 21.7 percent against a national figure of 24.5 percent. Black adolescents also showed an improvement as far as cigarette use is concerned, but there was an

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