Immigration Trauma and Substance Use in Latino/Latina/Latinx Immigrant Communities

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Description
This session examines how immigration-related trauma contributes to substance use and mental health issues in immigrant communities. It introduces a trauma-informed, culturally responsive framework that considers the impact of pre-migration violence, the dangers of the migration journey, and post-migration stressors like discrimination, poverty, and documentation fears. Clinical strategies will emphasize cultural humility, narrative work, and identity-centered care beyond standard diagnostic models.

Learning Objectives

• Identify three types of trauma (pre-migration, migration, and post-migration) that increase vulnerability to substance use among immigrant populations.
• Describe how acculturation stress and cultural stigma impact mental health and treatment engagement in immigrant clients.
• Apply two culturally responsive strategies in clinical practice to support immigrant clients coping with trauma-related substance use.

Core Functions
Assessment, Client Education, Counseling

Topic Category
Trauma/Loss/Recovery