Due to war and destruction, many Asylum seekers and refugees have had to leave their homes in recent years and have sought protection in European countries. In 2015 and 2016 more than one million people applied for asylum in Germany. This, in turn, has exposed an existing major challenge with the health care system. From a public health perspective, the significant concern has been about the healthcare needs of asylum seekers and refugees, the legal frame-work of immigration and the extent of health problems among this population. It is striking that there is little representative data available on the health situation of this population group. The studies to date have shown a few cases which are either regional but also difficult to compare. The existing findings suggest the need for care and action especially in the area of mental illness of asylum seek-ers and their families.
This paper will, therefore, try to investigate this complicated topic by trying to address some critical questions such as; is there a large-scale substance abuse among Asylum seekers? And if so, what could be the risk and protective fac-tors? What prevention interventions are available for this population, are there treatment opportunities for chronic users? Are there laws protecting this popula-tion in the context of prevention and treatment if yes, what policies are there for this population? And what implications does chronic substance abuse have on successful integration? To understand this complex dynamic, the paper will first highlight the current migration trends especially the period between 2015-2017. Secondly, this paper will explore the health status of asylum seekers, reviewing the risk and protective factors, especially mental health and its challenges. Thirdly, the paper will highlight substance abuse among Asylum seekers and the challenges on access to health care services especially mental health inter-ventions. Finally, the paper will investigate substance abuse prevention ap-proaches and highlighting some of the successful prevention interventions that have been piloted in different parts of Germany and finally conclusion and way forward.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Migration Trends 2015-2016
3 Asylum Seekers Health Status
4 Alcohol and Drugs abuse among Asylum seekers
5 Medical Care and Access to Healthcare
6 Substance Abuse Prevention
7 Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper investigates the complex issue of substance abuse among asylum seekers, exploring whether a large-scale problem exists and identifying the associated risk and protective factors. It examines the adequacy of healthcare access, the legal frameworks governing treatment, and the effectiveness of current prevention interventions in Germany to provide recommendations for successful integration.
- Analysis of migration trends between 2015 and 2017.
- Evaluation of the health status of asylum seekers, particularly regarding mental health.
- Investigation into the prevalence and motivations behind substance abuse among refugee populations.
- Assessment of barriers to accessing medical care and psychotherapeutic services.
- Review of successful substance abuse prevention projects and intervention strategies.
Excerpt from the Book
Alcohol and Drugs abuse among Asylum seekers
Due to the high probability of being exposed to psychologically stressful experiences in the country of origin, on the run or in the country of admission, there is a significantly increased risk of developing a mental disorder or a physical illness in refugees. The risk increases with the number of negative events experienced. According to Ertl (2016), this so-called "Dosis-Effect" also applies to addictions:
„je mehr traumatischen und aversiven Lebensereignissen Flüchtende ausgesetzt waren und sind, desto eher entwickeln sie eine sucht Problematik“ (Ertl 2016, p25)
Traumatic experiences often occur together with substance-related disorders if the stress reactions are not (timely) treated. Not only trauma such as PTSD is referred to, but also (early) child abuse experiences and emotional neglect are included (Potthast/Catani 2012).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the challenges within the healthcare system regarding asylum seekers and outlines the research questions concerning substance abuse, prevention, and integration.
2 Migration Trends 2015-2016: Reviews the demographic shifts and the massive influx of refugees during this period, highlighting the diversity of the arriving populations.
3 Asylum Seekers Health Status: Examines the health vulnerabilities of refugees, focusing on the high prevalence of trauma and the lack of representative data on their mental health status.
4 Alcohol and Drugs abuse among Asylum seekers: Analyzes the link between traumatic experiences and substance use, identifying specific risk and protective factors across different cultural groups.
5 Medical Care and Access to Healthcare: Discusses the legal and structural barriers that prevent asylum seekers from accessing necessary medical and psychotherapeutic support in Germany.
6 Substance Abuse Prevention: Highlights various pilot projects and the necessity for culturally adapted prevention programs to effectively support refugees in camp settings.
7 Conclusion: Summarizes the key findings and emphasizes that prioritizing mental health and addiction services is essential for the successful long-term integration of asylum seekers.
Keywords
Asylum seekers, Refugees, Substance abuse, Public health, Mental health, Trauma, PTSD, Migration trends, Prevention, Healthcare access, Integration, Addiction, Psychotherapy, Social work, Risk factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines the intersection of migration, health, and substance abuse, specifically questioning whether substance abuse is a significant dilemma among asylum seekers in Germany and how the healthcare system responds to these needs.
Which population group is specifically analyzed in this research?
The study focuses on asylum seekers and refugees, with particular attention to the influx of migrants arriving in Germany between 2015 and 2017.
What is the central research question?
The core inquiry centers on whether there is large-scale substance abuse among asylum seekers, what risk and protective factors influence this behavior, and how current prevention and treatment policies impact their integration.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The paper utilizes a literature review and analysis of existing reports, studies, and data from organizations such as the AOK and various health institutes to assess the current health and social situation of refugees.
What key findings are discussed in the main chapters?
The chapters cover the prevalence of trauma, the direct impact of post-migration stressors on mental health, the structural barriers to healthcare, and the effectiveness of pilot prevention projects like JUMP or the Mudra Project.
What are the characterizing keywords of this work?
Key terms include asylum seekers, substance abuse, mental health, trauma, public health, integration, and healthcare access.
How does the author define the "Dosis-Effect" regarding addiction?
The author references Ertl (2016) to explain that the likelihood of developing an addiction increases in correlation with the number of traumatic and aversive life events a person has experienced.
What role does the "first 15 months" play in medical access?
According to the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (AsylbLG), refugees have restricted access to healthcare during their first 15 months, often limited to acute pain or illness, which severely restricts their access to necessary psychotherapeutic treatment for trauma.
Why are camp settings highlighted as a specific environment for substance use?
The research suggests that camp environments often present a more vulnerable risk setting for substance use compared to living in the community, due to factors like uncertainty, isolation, and limited access to support systems.
- Quote paper
- Jared Omundo (Author), 2019, Asylum Seekers Alcohol and Drugs Abuse. A Public Health Dilemma?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/500610
