Racial dynamics among clients in a residential substance use disorder treatment program in South Los Angeles and its impact on clients' treatment experiences

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate racial dynamics among clients in a female-only residential substance use disorder treatment facility in South Los Angeles and its effects on treatment experiences. Clients were interviewed about their interracial interactions, perceptions of clients of races and ethnicities different from their own and how racial dynamics might affect their experiences in treatment. Nine interviews were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants recounted that racial differences do not play a significant role in their treatment experiences, although racial identities shape social group formation. Motivation to recover from addiction and other shared lived experiences facilitate interracial harmony.

Keywords:

• Race
• substance use disorders
• residential treatment

Acknowledgements

We sincerely thank all the participants and staff from the study site for their vital contribution to the study. Thanks also go to Dr. Zachery Ritter for giving suggestions to the interview script and Dr. Cheryl Teruya for offering her insights on the qualitative data analysis.

Disclosure statement

We have no conflict of interest to disclose.