SUBSTANCE-ABUSE AMONG SOUTHEAST ASIANS IN THE US - IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH

The literature on Asian-American substance use has shown a general inc rease in consumption and related problems due, in part, to the effects of acculturation toward U.S. drinking norms. Southeast Asians are the most recent of Asian groups to come to the U.S., and have done so fol lowing an immigration and refugee experience that was among the most t raumatic in recent memory resulting in significant levels of psychosoc ial distress. The combined influences of mental health disorders, whic h frequently co-occur with substance abuse, and acculturation pressure s suggest that a significant increase in substance abuse problems may be in progress for Southeast Asian immigrants. Preliminary evidence ap pears to bear out this hypothesis. The current article outlines the li terature on substance abuse among Vietnamese, Cambodians and Laotians in the U.S., and makes tentative recommendations for assessment, treat ment and future research.