Promoting Equitable Access to Addiction Recovery among Hispanic/Latino Men Experiencing Homelessness

IntroductionHispanic and Latino men are disproportionately impacted by substance abuse and face greater barriers in accessing addiction treatment. The purpose of this manuscript is to evaluate an innovative program for Hispanic/Latino men experiencing homelessness and addiction within the context of a faith-based, 12-step, residential addiction recovery program in Baltimore City.MethodThe program design is based on a peer recovery model where bilingual peer recovery coaches, mentors, and practitioners provide coordinated addiction treatment and wrap around services. Program outcomes are tracked through a Progress to Life Transformation matrix covering five overarching domains: sobriety, spirituality, relationships, physical and emotional wellness, and community re-integration (education, employment, housing).ResultsIn its first two years, program enrollment increased by 500%. Outcome data revealed improvement in all domains from program entry to exit with a 28% improvement in overall scores. The domains with the greatest degree of improvement related to spirituality and recovery, while the least improvement was noted in the community re-integration domain.ConclusionThis program provided culturally responsive addiction treatment and comprehensive wrap around services through a coordinated continuum of care. Barriers to progress included lack of access to health care, housing, legal aid, and culturally responsive education and workforce development opportunities.