SUBSTANCE USE PATTERNS AMONG HOMELESS MIGRANTS AND NONMIGRANTS IN CHICAGO

This paper uses data abstracted from 465 client records randomly selec ted from the current files of a downtown medical clinic in Chicago, Il linois to examine substance use among 85 immigrant and 380 nonimmigran t homeless and ''at-risk'' homeless adults. Immigrants to the United S tates reported lower levels of current cigarette, alcohol, and drug us e compared to nonimmigrants in the sample. Immigrants were also less l ikely to report potential substance user treatment needs. Immigrants, however, did not differ from nonimmigrants in the reported quantity or frequency of cigarette and alcohol use. Drug use among homeless immig rants was also higher than estimates of misuse in the general populati on. The literally homeless in the sample reported higher levels of sub stance use compared to ''at-risk'' homeless. The literally homeless we re also more likely to report higher levels of consumption and were mo re likely to have potential substance user treatment needs. The role o f stress in the etiology of substance misuse among homeless immigrants and nonimmigrants is discussed. Implications for the treatment of the se diverse populations are also addressed. [Translations are provided in the International Abstracts Section of this issue.]