AODA Special AODA Special PopulationsPopulations

Barriers & Bias in Treatment Services

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Barriers to Treatment ServicesWhat is a barrier? – Characteristics or events that

restrain or serve as an obstacle to treatmentDimensions

InternalExternal

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Internal BarriersPerception

MotivationStigmaRecognition of useBeliefsOpinions of othersPrivacy concernsFear of the unknown

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External Barriers Socio-cultural-environmental factors

Transportation Childcare Homelessness Communication Legal system Discrimination

Health care system Options Access

Agency characteristics Access & biases Treatment style

Bias in ServicesEvaluation concerns

Bias & mis/under/over diagnosing Culture bound syndromes & spiritual influences

Substance abuse providers: What to do?Review records & clinical information5 key questions

Were substance abuse issues included? Were MH issues included? Were cultural/spiritual issues included? Were social/environmental stressors noted? Am I aware of necessary medical issues?

Collaborative contact

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Provider InterventionsRecognition of types of barriers and bias and their

influence on clientsRole of advocacy with barriers

Intervention at clinician levelIntervention at agency level