Alcohol Mis(Use) among Migrants, Asylum-seekers and Refugees: state-of-the-art
Background: Alcohol consumption is a multifactorial and complex behavior. In recent years, the global landscape has witnessed unprecedented waves of migration, with millions of individuals seeking refuge, asylum, or a better life in foreign lands. This demographic shift has brought attention to the unique challenges faced by migrants, asylum-seekers, and refugees, among which the issue of alcohol mis(use) emerges as a critical concern. The aim of this study is to explore the pattern of alcohol use in migrant, asylum seeker and refugee populations, focusing on the current state of prevalence, prevention, protective and risk factors influencing alcohol consumption, and its consequences.
Methodology: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed platform and reference books. Articles from the years 2000 to 2023 were included, employing the following mesh terms: "alcohol use disorder" ,"migrants," "refugees," and "determinants."
Results: Risk factors for alcohol use disorder (AUD) include pre-migratory trauma, post-migratory stress, discrimination, internalized stigma, limited accessibility to healthcare services, lack of social support and low socioeconomic status. Conversely, some subgroups have shown greater resilience and proctective cultural constructs associated with lower AUD rates. There is significant heterogeneity within these groups, presenting distinct challenges, and the current literature lacks studies exploring these sociocultural differences.
Conclusions: Individualized, multidisciplinary, multilingual, and culturally sensitive prevention and treatment programs have proven more effective in reducing risks and improving the well-being of migrant and refugee communities. Public health initiatives and policies should take into account the diversity of experiences and needs of these specific populations, promoting health professional literacy. Increased investment in research is necessary to explore risk and protective factors further.
