When White Clients Are in the Minority in a Substance Use Disorders (SUDS) Treatment Program: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

There has been virtually no research regarding the experiences of White clients in substance use disorders (SUDS) treatment programs where they are in the minority racially. In a U.S. city, at a 28-day inpatient program where White individuals represented 12% of the client population, 68 White clients responded to open-ended questions regarding how their racial identity affected their treatment experiences. Nearly one half of the White participants reported no difficulties regarding being part of a small racial minority group in treatment. However, one third of the White participants expressed significant negative reactions about being in the racial minority in treatment. They expressed feeling ostracized and not accepted, being exposed to racist attitudes and comments, and experiencing a sense of alienation.

KEYWORDS:

• Substance use disorders (SUDS) treatment programs
• alcohol treatment
• drug treatment
• White clients
• European-American clients
• racial minorities
• cultural competence
• diversity