Exploring Race in Addiction Treatment and the Need for an Anti-Racist Approach

Extensive literature documents that Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color (BIPOC) have been historically and systematically discriminated in addiction and substance use disorder treatment and services. This systemic oppression is the result of the creation and intersection of multiple systems that are rooted in White supremacy, which continue to fail to recognize racism as a critical factor in health disparities. The complexities of the structural factors that contribute to these racial health disparities, and opportunities to better address these disparities were reviewed to discuss their impact on BIPOC clients and the necessity for anti-racist approaches to addressing addiction in clinical practice and counselor training. Anti-racist clinical practice and training to promote anti-racist approaches based on the review were discussed and implications for future research are suggested.