JanineBy Eva Peros and guest contributor Shinasa Shahid
As most will know addiction is a serious mental and physical health condition that can devastate lives. But according to experts the real extent of substance use, specifically among Asian and Afro-Caribbean women, is not fully understood and is preventing many from accessing services that are vital to their recovery.
A new study led by PhD researcher and psychologist, Shinasa Shahid, is now underway to help tackle inequality within these under-represented communities, and women in East Leeds who are recovering from addiction and substance use are being invited to take part.
Earlier research by Shinasa has established that women who feel supported by treatment programmes that are both culturally sensitive and inclusive stood a better chance of recovery. However, issues such as cultural and linguistic barriers, can result in treatment programmes being cut short, putting vulnerable people at further risk. Other issues, such as shame and social stigma within culturally diverse communities, has also been found to hinder recovery.
Shinasa is hoping that those taking part in the study will be able to provide further valuable insight into some of the issues they face when accessing services, so that positive, long-lasting solutions can be put forward.
Shinasa’s latest research also uncovered a number of concerns raised by community group leaders who help run some local recovery services. This includes issues such as complex rules and processes that they say make it difficult for them to access support and funding. Despite these community groups being largely made up of women from Asian and Afro Caribbean backgrounds with lived experience of addiction, some also felt that their ideas about how recovery services are being delivered, are not being taken into consideration by the authorities.
Having dedicated much of her career to improving outcomes for people and families from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, Shinasa says: “What my research has told me so far is that drug and alcohol policies have been letting these communities down for generations, leaving many dealing with addiction alone and without the help that they need.
“One way of addressing some of the barriers to recovery among these groups might be through promoting awareness about addiction within ethnically diverse communities, educational institutions and in the workplace, with an emphasis on empathy and cultural sensitivity.
“Equally, treatment programmes that are more aligned with the spiritual and religious beliefs – of both those receiving and delivering treatment programmes – can also help foster trust and confidence. Indeed, those running local support services want to have more of a say in how services are delivered and want a fair chance to make a real difference, but the feedback I’m getting suggests that this isn’t always the case.
“The issues faced by Asian and Afro-Caribbean women in substance use recovery are not straightforward and there are no quick solutions. Research in this area has so far been very limited, but what is apparent is that in order to make things better, there needs to be a greater understanding and awareness of the cultures of people from these diverse communities and the only way of doing this is through working together. We cannot wait any longer to fix these problems, we need to act now.”
The study is open to Asian and Afro-Caribbean women in East Leeds aged 18 or over who are recovering from substance use. This includes women who no longer use alcohol or drugs but are currently accessing services, as well as those who have accessed services in the past. To find out more about the study or to take part, please get in touch with Shinasa at: shinasa.shahid@gmail.com
Shinasa’s research is part of a PhD thesis to be submitted to the University of Derby. Any enquiries, discussions and interviews will be in confidence and any contributions included in the study will be fully anonymised.
