This discussion identifies the prevalence, correlates, and adverse consequences of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) used by African Americans, with a special focus on African American women. Efforts to prevent substance use and abuse and the nature and effectiveness of treatment are also addressed. Several complex issues and limitations that relate to African American AOD prevention and treatment are addressed, including the following: inappropriate research methodologies, the paucity of culturally competent research teams, and the misinformed assumption of homogeneity of the African American population.
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