For women with low incomes, street drugs become the drug of choice due to their availability, while middle and upper-class women of color often become addicted to prescription drugs. Because alcohol is legal, it is as serious a problem for women of color as it is for the general population. For American Indian women, alcoholism and alcohol-related mortality are the predominant health problems. American women of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, on the other hand, have a low prevalence of both alcohol and other drug abuse. This is attributed to strong cultural traditions, such as the emphasis on the family versus individualism, more restrictive roles for women, and the philosophical concept of moderation predominant in these cultures.
Cocaine abuse is particularly high for adolescent Hispanic girls.
However, in attempting to describe cultural factors, it is important to not fall into the trap of unintentionally perpetuating stereotypes of ethnic and racial populations. Moreover, many of the cultural differences attributed to one population may apply generally, if somewhat differently, to many racial and ethnic groups. They particularly need to be cognizant of nonverbal communication that is rejecting, insincere, or judgmental. If these messages, however unintended, are communicated to the client, her response whether verbal or nonverbal, may be inappropriately labeled as defensive or hostile. As with other judgements regarding the client's behavior, counselors and other staff need to be aware that such labeling can unfortunately become a diagnosis that may follow the woman throughout her treatment and severely impede her recovery.