Drug and alcohol rehab facilities around the world continue to treat substance abuse that plagues their respective countries. While many countries are concerned about their natural-born citizens’ destructive habits, a new wrinkle has been introduced into the fold: expatriates.
Expatriates—people who are temporarily or permanently residing in a country in which they are not a citizen—are equally, if not more susceptible to alcohol and drug abuse as native citizens.
Rehab facilities and addiction specialists point to the stresses of expatriate living as a driving force of substance abuse. Working high-pressure jobs in foreign countries brings equally high stress, placing employed expats at a higher abuse risk.
The unfamiliarity of a foreign country and its culture can lead to feelings of alienation and anxiety. Loneliness is a common emotion, especially for expats who are unemployed and have no circle of co-workers to confide in. Homesickness is a common expat ailment.
While drug abuse does occur in the expat community, alcohol is the substance of choice due to its legal status and acceptance in most areas of the world. As Dhyan Summers, founder of www.expatcounselingandcoaching.com, told The Wall Street Journal, “There’s definitely a higher risk and prevalence of alcohol abuse in the expat bubble. The expat subculture is a drinking culture.”
This is especially true in the United Arab Emirates, where alcohol-heavy brunches and binge drinking have had wreaked havoc among citizens and expats alike. A report published by the National Rehabilitation Center in Abu Dhabi, UAE found that 5.3 percent of deaths in the UAE are from alcohol or drug abuse. In addition, a study conducted by Euromonitor, an international research firm, found a 30 percent increase in alcohol consumption in the country over the past five years.
In response to this growing epidemic, The Gulf News General reported the “Abu Dhabi-based NRC is wading into the expatriate drinking dilemma for the first time ever.” State-supported alcohol rehab treatment, therapy, and relevant physical and mental health services–once reserved solely for UAE citizens–will now be available to expatriates.
Despite the UAE expanding rehab programs to encompass expats, Summers told the Wall Street Journal that in the expat culture, “No one comes to me specifically for alcohol abuse… It’s a part of the lifestyle.”
Even for those who do seek treatment, finding it outside of one’s home country is difficult. English-speaking rehab programs, treatment centers and even Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are all but impossible to find in many areas.
Until the rest of the world recognizes that the expatriate community is in dire need of drug and alcohol treatment options, expats across the globe will continue to suffer from untreated substance abuse problems.
Alex Kirkwood is a health writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Odyssey House. Follow on Twitter
Expatriates—people who are temporarily or permanently residing in a country in which they are not a citizen—are equally, if not more susceptible to alcohol and drug abuse as native citizens.
Rehab facilities and addiction specialists point to the stresses of expatriate living as a driving force of substance abuse. Working high-pressure jobs in foreign countries brings equally high stress, placing employed expats at a higher abuse risk.
The unfamiliarity of a foreign country and its culture can lead to feelings of alienation and anxiety. Loneliness is a common emotion, especially for expats who are unemployed and have no circle of co-workers to confide in. Homesickness is a common expat ailment.
While drug abuse does occur in the expat community, alcohol is the substance of choice due to its legal status and acceptance in most areas of the world. As Dhyan Summers, founder of www.expatcounselingandcoaching.com, told The Wall Street Journal, “There’s definitely a higher risk and prevalence of alcohol abuse in the expat bubble. The expat subculture is a drinking culture.”
This is especially true in the United Arab Emirates, where alcohol-heavy brunches and binge drinking have had wreaked havoc among citizens and expats alike. A report published by the National Rehabilitation Center in Abu Dhabi, UAE found that 5.3 percent of deaths in the UAE are from alcohol or drug abuse. In addition, a study conducted by Euromonitor, an international research firm, found a 30 percent increase in alcohol consumption in the country over the past five years.
In response to this growing epidemic, The Gulf News General reported the “Abu Dhabi-based NRC is wading into the expatriate drinking dilemma for the first time ever.” State-supported alcohol rehab treatment, therapy, and relevant physical and mental health services–once reserved solely for UAE citizens–will now be available to expatriates.
Despite the UAE expanding rehab programs to encompass expats, Summers told the Wall Street Journal that in the expat culture, “No one comes to me specifically for alcohol abuse… It’s a part of the lifestyle.”
Even for those who do seek treatment, finding it outside of one’s home country is difficult. English-speaking rehab programs, treatment centers and even Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are all but impossible to find in many areas.
Until the rest of the world recognizes that the expatriate community is in dire need of drug and alcohol treatment options, expats across the globe will continue to suffer from untreated substance abuse problems.
Alex Kirkwood is a health writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Odyssey House. Follow on Twitter