Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, Maryland 20857, USA.
This chapter discusses sociocultural influences on the availability, access, diagnosis, and treatment of alcoholism for women, particularly those in minority groups. Race/ethnicity and other sociocultural influences are presented in terms of the societal context and the counselor-client relationship. The latest data on heavy drinking, alcohol-induced mortality, and alcoholism treatment utilization are presented on African-American, Hispanic, and white women. Data also are presented on the ability to pay for treatment through insurance or earnings. Information on Native Americans and Asian/Pacific Islanders is included whenever possible.