Health Problems in Hispanic American/Latina Women: Alcoholism and Illicit Drug Use

According to the National Institutes of Health, alcoholism is a disease with these symptoms:

craving: a strong need to drink
loss of control: can't limit one's drinking
physical dependence: withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety that happen when you stop drinking alcohol after a period of heavy drinking tolerance: drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to "get high"
Illicit drugs are illegal drugs, like heroin, marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, PCP, and LSD. Subgroups of Hispanic Americans/Latinos vary in their rates of substance abuse, alcohol dependence, and need for illicit drug abuse treatment. But overall, compared to the total U.S. population, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans have high rates of illicit drug use, heavy alcohol use, alcohol dependence, and need for drug abuse treatment.

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Prevent problems related to alcohol and drugs. If you have a problem with drinking or use drugs, get help to stop! Your health care provider can help you. If you drink, the National Institutes of Health advises a safe level of drinking: for most adults, moderate alcohol use--up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people. However, some people should NOT drink at all:

women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant people who plan to drive or engage in other activities that require alertness and skill (such as using high-speed machinery)people taking certain over-the-counter or prescription medications people with medical conditions that can be made worse by drinking recovering alcoholics people younger than age 21

Publications

Alcohol Alert #55 - Alcohol and Minorities: An Update - This fact sheet discusses ethnic disparities in drinking patterns. It reviews the social and biological factors that may contribute to these differences, and explains how prevention and treatment efforts have been modified to be more culturally relevant.

Alcoholism: Getting the Facts - This publication contains information about how to get help for alcohol abuse. Also included is a list of resources for additional information.

Alcoholismo: Aprenda la Realidad - Spanish fact sheet on alcoholism.

ClubDrugs.org - This Internet site is dedicated to providing reliable information on club drugs that are used by young adults at all-night dance parties such as "raves" or "trances," dance clubs, and bars. NIDA-supported research has shown that use of club drugs can cause serious health problems and, in some cases, even death. Used in combination with alcohol, these drugs can be even more dangerous.

Como disminuir su hábito de ingerir alcohol - Esta publicación provee información a la persona que toma alcohol asi que saben si tienen un problema con la cantidad de alcohol que está ingeriendo.

Frequently Asked Questions - Drug Abuse and Treatment - This publication contains information on drug abuse, how it effects women, types of treatment, and the possibility of contracting HIV/AIDS from drug use.

Juventud Latina -- Hable con Sus Hijos Sobre las Drogas y Sus Peligros - Basado en investigaciones científicas, el folleto fue preparado con información recopilada en todo el país, hablando con padres y jóvenes hispanos así como con profesionales latinos en el campo del cuidado de la salud. El folleto incluye la más información con relación a los efectos a la salud des las drogas como los inhalantes, marihuana, cocaína, metanfetamina y heroína. Además, también proporciona información sobre la prevención y tratamiento para la adicción a las drogas.

NIDA InfoFacts - Éxtasis - Esta publicación contiene información sobre la La metilendioximetanfetamina (MDMA), cuyos nombres en la calle son "Adam", "éxtasis" o "X-TC". Explica por qué es peligrosa para la salud y la alcance del uso de la éxtasis.

NIDA InfoFacts - Métodos de tratamiento para la mujer - La drogadicción es un problema de salud serio, crónico y recurrente para hombres y mujeres de todas las edades y condiciones sociales. Pero entre las mujeres, el abuso de drogas puede presentar problemas diferentes y requerir distintos métodos de tratamiento. Esta hoja de datos resume las consequencias del abuso de drogas por mujeres, la relación con el VIH/SIDA, y las opciones para el tratamiento.

NIDA InfoFacts - Treatment Methods for Women - This publication discusses drug abuse and women. It also contains information on why drug abuse among women may present different challenges and treatment methods.

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator - This Internet site can help you locate a substance abuse treatment facility in your area.

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), SAMHSA, OPHS, HHS

National Council of La Raza

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, HHS

National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention (LCAT)

Office of Minority Health, OPHS, OS, HHS

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, OPHS, HHS