Help seeking behaviors of Latinos with substance use disorders who perceive a need for treatment: Substance abuse versus mental health treatment services.

objectivePerceiving a need for substance abuse treatment is a strong predictor of substance abuse treatment utilization among those with substance use disorders (SUD). Studies have found that when persons with SUD perceive a need for treatment, they are more likely to use mental health treatment rather than substance abuse treatment. Substance abuse treatment utilization is low among Latinos, relative to other racial/ethnic groups. It is unknown if Latinos with SUD who perceive a need for treatment are more likely to use mental health or substance abuse treatment.

methodsData were pooled from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health survey years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Analyses were limited to adult Latino participants who met DSM-IV criteria for a past-year substance use disorder (n = 1889). Multinomial logistic regression analyses examined the role of perceived treatment need on the past-year use of (1) no treatment, (2) substance abuse treatment only, and (3) mental health treatment only. Important covariates included socio-demographics, problem severity, currently being on parole or probation, and poor mental health status.

resultsOnly 5% of Latinos with SUD reported perceiving a need for treatment. Treatment utilization was also low: 83% reported not using any treatment in the past-year. In multinomial logistic regressions, compared to not using any treatment, Latinos with SUD who perceived a need for substance abuse treatment were more likely to report using mental health treatment only. Perceiving a need for treatment and using substance abuse treatment services only was not statistically different from not using any treatment.

conclusionsFindings underscore the need for better integration of substance abuse and mental health treatment services to address the health needs of Latinos.