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Intersectionality and Substance Use
Explain how intersectionality relates to substance use disorder risk. Specifically, discuss how social identities (race/ethnicity, social class, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity) come together with stigma and compound one another to promote or exacerbate the development of a substance use disorder. When various issues co-occur in the same client (gender-based violence, substance use, mental illness, racial or other discrimination, poverty, etc.), what should social workers consider in order to treat the client in a holistic and strength-based manner that affirms the whole person? Propose two ways that social workers who work with clients with substance use disorders can address the impact of intersectionality.
APA citation and reference
- Van Wormer, K., & Davis, D. R. (2018). Addiction treatment: A strengths perspective (4th ed.). Cengage Learning.
- Chapter 10, “Family Risks and Resiliencies” (pp. 391–430)
- Chapter 11, “Ethnicity, Culture, and the Socioeconomic Determinants of Addiction” (pp. 431–472)
- Eisenberg, M. E., Gower, A., Watson, R., Rider, N., Thomas, D., & Russell, S. (2022).Substance use behaviors among LGBTQ youth of color: Applying a novel method in two large samples to identify intersecting social positions bearing the greatest burden.Links to an external site. Journal of Adolescent Health, 70(4), S98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.01.105
- Vu, M., Li, J., Haardörfer, R., Windle, M.,& Berg, C. J. (2019). Mental health and substance use among women and men at the intersections of identities and experiences of discrimination: Insights from the intersectionality framework.Links to an external site. BMC Public Health, 19, 108. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6430-0
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Intersectionality and Substance Use
Substance use disorder (SUD) risk is influenced by the intersectionality of various social identities such as race/ethnicity, social class, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. These identities interact with stigma, which can compound individual vulnerabilities and exacerbate the development of substance use disorders. Stigma—such as racial discrimination or homophobia—intersects with other forms of marginalization, such as poverty, gender-based violence, or mental illness, often creating a cyclical and self-reinforcing set of barriers to recovery. For example, individuals who face both racial discrimination and gender-based violence may experience higher levels of stress and mental health struggles, which can increase the likelihood of substance misuse as…