Understanding Opioid Addiction in The Chaldean Community: A Brief Report
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BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Understanding Opioid Addiction in The Chaldean Community: A Brief Report Aryana Sharrak1 · Rachel Yoskowitz1 · Patrick Karabon2 · Sarah Lerchenfeldt1 Accepted: 12 October 2020 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Background Chaldeans, or Iraqi-Christians, escaped religious persecution in their homeland, finding refuge in the United States. They are a minority population in the United States (n≈500,000), with significant communities in Michigan (n≈160,000) [1], Illinois, California, and Arizona. Chaldeans’ native spoken language is Chaldean Aramaic, although many maintain fluency and literacy in the vernacular of residence, exhibiting linguistic competency in Arabic and English [2]. Presumably, Chaldeans experience addiction at rates similar to local communities. There are limited studies on alcohol and hookah abuse in this population [3, 4], while little literature exists on addiction to opioids. The literature addressing opioid addiction in Arabs is not representative of Chaldeans, a non-Arab ethnic group. Chaldeans remain insular, focusing on retaining their cultural and linguistic heritage, as well as strong Catholic practice. It is presumed that community members will only trust resources from within their community. Arfken and colleagues reported that binge drinking may affect Arab-Muslims and Chaldeans differently due to different religious teachings on alcohol [4]. In another study, Arfken and colleagues identified that
Christian Middle Eastern individuals were more likely to drink alcohol than Muslim individuals [5]. In contrast, studies on addiction in the Catholic population are not culturally appropriate for Chaldeans. Hakim-Larson and colleagues explained that mental health services for Chaldeans need to be specific to the community’s unique sociopolitical contextual background [6].
Conceptual Framework This study was conducted to identify needs of Chaldeans with opioid addiction. One study identified the absence of adequate mental health services for the growing number of Chaldeans resettled in the United States who escaped persecution in Iraq [6]. Also, these services may not be accessible to limited English speakers [7]. Chaldeans may not participate in programs that they feel lack cultural context or negate the therapeutic relevance of the family unit, an essential cultural element [6]. The current study assessed Chaldean community members’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding the opioid epidemic and resources needed to combat opioid addiction in their community.
* Sarah Lerchenfeldt [email protected]
Methods
Aryana Sharrak [email protected]
Study Design, Data Collection, and Measures
Rachel Yoskowitz [email protected] Patrick Karabon [email protected] 1
Department of Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, 586 Pioneer Drive, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
Office of Research, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, 586 Pioneer Drive, Rochester, MI 4
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