false
OasisLMS
zh-CN,en,fr,de,ja,es
Catalog
35th AM (2025) - Poster Session
Inclusive Recovery Barriers to Alcohol Use Disorde ...
Inclusive Recovery Barriers to Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment and Resources for people with Disabilities
Back to course
Pdf Summary
Approximately 27% of the U.S. population has some form of disability, including physical and cognitive impairments, many of which are not visibly apparent. People with disabilities (PWDs) face a higher risk of substance use disorders (SUDs) compared to non-disabled individuals. Despite this increased vulnerability, PWDs experience significant barriers to accessing effective SUD treatments. One critical area of focus is the availability and accessibility of support resources such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings.<br /><br />This study examined AA meeting accessibility for PWDs across five major metropolitan areas within a 50-mile radius, using data from the Alcoholics Anonymous resource center. The study filtered meetings based on features such as sign language interpretation, wheelchair access, and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. Findings revealed variability and inadequacies in the availability of such accessibility features across metros, indicating limited targeted interventions for PWDs.<br /><br />The higher prevalence of SUDs among PWDs, combined with their lower engagement in treatment, underscores a pressing need to improve inclusive resources. While AA is a valuable support system, its current filters and accommodations for PWDs are imperfect and require further refinement to ensure equitable access for all individuals regardless of disability status.<br /><br />Closing these accessibility gaps involves educating healthcare providers about the unique challenges facing PWDs with SUDs, improving screening processes, and enhancing the inclusiveness of treatment resources. Through increased awareness and systemic improvements, a more equitable healthcare environment can be fostered.<br /><br />In conclusion, addressing the inadequate support and accessibility for PWDs within SUD treatment settings is critical. Future efforts should focus on identifying barriers, improving targeted services, and promoting effective interventions to reduce SUD disparities in the disabled population.
Keywords
disability prevalence
substance use disorders
people with disabilities
Alcoholics Anonymous accessibility
wheelchair access
sign language interpretation
SUD treatment barriers
inclusive healthcare
metropolitan accessibility study
healthcare provider education
×