A Comparison of Caribbean and Non-Caribbean Clients in a Residential Addiction Treatment Facility in Antigua, West Indies

Abstract

The first 50 Caribbean clients admitted to a private, multicultural, not for profit addiction treatment center in Antigua, West Indies, were compared with the first 100 non-Caribbean clients admitted. There was no significant difference in age, 38 years (18–61 years) versus 40 years (22–63 years), or gender, 74% versus 67% male. Caribbean clients were more likely to be Black, 68% versus 2%, P <.001. Caribbean clients were less likely to have a prior psychiatric diagnosis, 18% versus 43%, P <.01, or to have been in prior treatment program, 22% versus 64%, P <.001. Caribbean and non-Caribbean clients were equally likely to be polydrug users, 48% versus 50%, and to use alcohol as a primary drug, 52% versus 51%. Caribbean clients were more likely to use cocaine, 30% versus 11%, P <.01, and marijuana, 12% versus 0%, P <.001, but less likely to use heroin, 6% versus 30%, P <.001 or pills, 0% versus 8%, P <.05. Caribbean clients were less likely to have elevated MCV, 24% versus 57%, P <.001 or serum transaminases, 23% versus 46%, P <.01. Differences between groups in this multicultural setting warrant further investigation.

Key Words:

• Drug dependency
• addiction treatment
• multicultural
• Caribbean