Black History Month and Substance Use

The month of February is a special month – each February, we celebrate Black History month. We celebrate and recognize the extraordinary achievements of the Black community.  

The Black community faces similar rates of mental health issues and substance use disorder as compared to the rest of our country’s population. However, the key point to note here is that the Black community often does not overcome these issues as successfully as the rest of the population. To explore this in more detail, two out of nine Black adult Americans have struggled with mental illness. Over 2 million had a substance use disorder. Additionally, opioid-related deaths are increasing among the Black community. Largely to blame are synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The fentanyl crisis is growing, and as a result, many innocent lives have been lost. 

Being that the Black community has a high level of substance use and addiction issues, it is important to note that the Black community does not generally receive enough of the necessary services needed to combat their addiction.   

There are a number of reasons why the Black community does not receive proper treatment. Stigmas often cause members of the community to avoid treatment. Members of the Black community may also not have easy or convenient methods of receiving care. For example, not having a good form of transportation, or simply not knowing where to turn for help can prevent someone from receiving treatment. At Victory Recovery Partners, we provide some of our services via telehealth, ensuring that our services can be easily accessed.  

There can also be financial reasons that prevent members of the Black community from receiving treatment. An area that has more public insurers than private insurers may lead to a decrease in the number of available services because private insurers reimburse for services at higher rates.  

It is also important for the substance use facilities to employ staff who understand the cultures of the black community. If a patient feels that they are misunderstood culturally, they will seek treatment at another facility. 

Additionally, long waiting lists and feeling as though the admissions process is too lengthy or overwhelming may prevent a patient from seeking treatment. At Victory Recovery Partners, we do not have waitlists, and our admissions process is simple, easy, and efficient.  

It is crucial that during Black history month, (and throughout the entire year), we bring attention to these issues so that the Black community can receive the treatment that they need.  

To help ensure that the Black community receives the necessary treatment to overcome their addictions and substance use disorders, we must make sure that we are educated on these issues. This includes not just educating the public, but also making sure counselors and other providers are educated on the issues that affect the Black population.  

During Black History Month, we pay honor to the legacy of Black Americans who have done much to bring attention to substance use disorder in the black community.  

Malcolm X was a very well-known figure who had battled a drug addiction and even received jail time for it. However, once he became a public figure, he was able to recover, and he helped countless members of the black community find their way to sobriety. 

With regards to alcohol use, Frederick Douglas had a major role in helping members of the black community overcome their addictions and abstain from using alcohol. Douglas was a prominent figure in what we refer to as “the colored temperance movement”. While originally a slave, he is now known globally as an important figure in social reform and his contributions to literature. 

At Victory Recovery Partners, a network of five addiction recovery centers on Long Island, New York, we recognize the importance of Black History Month, as it celebrates the tremendous achievements of a community that is too often overlooked.  

By educating our counselors and other providers on the unique issues faced by the Black community, we ensure that our teams are ready and able to serve the Black community. We recognize that the first step towards overcoming an addiction and substance use disorder is recognizing that you need help and then taking that first step to receive the treatments that could potentially save your life.  

It is important to remember the contributions of the Black community not just once a year in February, but each and every day throughout the other 11 months of the year.