There is a lack of literature exploring substance misuse issues of the West African-born population in the United States. Thirty-four participants born in West Africa participated in one of three focus groups in a U.S. city to discuss their attitudes toward alcohol and drug use. Based on a qualitative analysis of the discussions, stigmatization of substance abusers and negative attitudes toward U.S. substance abuse treatment were identified as barriers to service utilization for West African immigrants. Community cohesion, importance of family, and a strong sense of spirituality were identified as essential resources to inform substance misuse prevention and treatment strategies. © 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Attitudes Drugs Substance abuse West African immigrants Alcohol treatment prevention

information processing cultural anthropology immigrant mental health service West Africa human Africa, Western Substance-Related Disorders alcohol Mental Health Services ethnology public attitude United States Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult migrant psychology attitude Humans Black person male Emigrants and Immigrants drug female African Continental Ancestry Group Africa qualitative analysis questionnaire adult utilization Focus Groups Culture