Between Two Worlds: Substance Use, Risk, Resilience, and the Generational Divide in Florida's Hispanic and Latino Communities

“A REACH Center white paper and research synthesis examining substance use, risk, resilience, and generational change in Florida’s Hispanic and Latino communities.” Abstract Florida is home to more than six million Hispanic and Latino residents, representing widely different national origins, migration histories, generations, family structures, and cultural experiences. Yet behavioral-health surveillance and service systems often treat this population as a single demographic category. This white paper examines substance-use risk and resilience among Hispanic and Latino adults and adolescents, with particular attention to nativity, national origin, sex, acculturation, family roles, cultural identity, and access to care. It reviews recent peer-reviewed research and government surveillance data and places those findings alongside practice experience from Northeast Florida. The paper argues that aggregate Hispanic data can hide clinically important subgroup differences. It also examines how acculturation gaps, language brokerage, parentification, and changing gender expectations may affect adolescent vulnerability while emphasizing that Latino culture should not be framed as a source of pathology. Familismo, caregiver warmth, respeto, spirituality, trusted adults, cultural connection, and community-based systems of care may function as significant protective resources. The paper reviews culturally responsive approaches including Familias Unidas, Mantente REAL, Promotores de Salud, bilingual and bicultural workforce models, family-centered treatment, and community hubs. It concludes with a Florida action agenda focused on improved data disaggregation, culturally responsive access, family-centered care, workforce capacity, community infrastructure, and continuity of recovery support.