Introduction

Disparities in access to quality OUD treatment play a significant role in every facet of health outcomes and health care, and the concerning opioid crisis is no different. While white Americans continue to experience the highest rates of opioid abuse and death from opioid overdose, research shows that the racial and ethnic minorities with OUD remain at a disadvantage regarding accessing appropriate treatment from the suboxone clinics near meis concerned.

The suboxone treatment doctors Providence inform that the opioid crisis has impacted millions of American lives in the last few years. Often, the ones significantly affected by opioids are portrayed as middle-class, white Americans who receive addiction treatment upon encountering non-fatal overdoses. However, according to PBS, about 80% of those overdosing victims are white Americans. It means that about 20% of the victims, who are people of color, are ignored.

What are the barriers to treatment?

Poverty

Poverty remains a huge concern in the US. About 14% of White children live in poverty, but this number shoots up to nearly 33% for Hispanic children and 40% for Black children in the US.

Poverty affects everything from shelter to hunger to access to resources and proper education. Poverty also results in a lack of insurance. For a person who is not financially stable and cannot pay for medicines and routine checkups or afford the sublocade cost, seeking medical care for OUD is challenging.

Surveys show that the majority of individuals pay for their addiction treatment through cash or insurance. The lack of options for individuals who belong to a lower socioeconomic status makes access to treatment from suboxone doctorscomplicated.

Discriminatory attitude and bias

Racial and economic discrimination can compromise health care.

Besides the financial factor affecting treatment, discrimination towards people based on their economic status, race, and other factors, makes it difficult for the minorities to seek proper medical care. Surveys revealed that some doctors at suboxone clinicsproject mistrust onto non-white Americans when treating them.

Racial stereotypes also affect the way some doctors treat their patients. For example, the general misconception that Black people can endure pain, are strong and tough prevent the doctors from giving them proper medications. Some doctors may not prescribe Black people medications because of the belief that they will sell the drugs.

How can we overcome barriers and provide support?

The suboxone doctors near mesay that if you are an American reading this article and are concerned about the fellow citizens, you can try to support your fellow Americans in small ways.

Educate yourself

If you do not want to be biased against minorities, start with educating yourself. Become aware of your privileges and the existing systems of oppression. Learn how to use your privilege to bring about changes in the system.

Read numerous books, research articles, etc., on discrimination against minorities. Devote your time and effort to learning about minority struggles and experiences concerning addiction treatment.

Advocate for change

Discrimination exists everywhere. The concerned experts at suboxone treatment clinics Providence advise you to be brave enough to call it out when you notice it happening in any OUD treatment center. Fighting against it signifies the need for reform.

Encourage the inclusion of more minorities in public healthcare programs, especially those who cannot afford to pay the sublocade price. If required, write to the government, imploring increased medical care, especially for minorities.

With the widespread call for overcoming the OUD crisis, many hope that all patients receive the proper care required for recovery. Others are demanding increased access to OUD treatment in black communities and increased funding, and encouraging minority-based addiction recovery programs. We should aim to make our fellow citizens; minority communities, states, and our world feel more inclusive. Therefore, keep advocating for change.

Endnote

Recovery Connection is among the leading sublocade treatment centers, and it has been providing bias-free addiction treatment ever since it started. Therefore, you can head to their centers for any issue related to OUD without any inhibitions.

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