Alcohol and Illicit Drugs Among Refugees in Community Collective Centres

Given the lack of empirical evidence on substance use among refugees at different stages of life, one aim is to compare alcohol and drug use in the home country, during the flight, and in the host country. In addition, it is examined which risk factors are associated with an increased prevalence of substance use. Method: 1 116 adult refugees were interviewed in 52 community centres in four federal states using a standardized questionnaire in six languages. Results: The respondents had a low lifetime prevalence of alcohol and drug use (28.8 % alcohol, 7.4 % drugs), which varied greatly depending on the refugee's country of origin. During the flight the prevalence was very low and when being in Germany there was a similar level of alcohol use as in the country of origin and an increased use of cannabis and cocaine. Refugees who use drugs are a particularly stressed group due to flight experiences and uncertain asylum status. The German addiction treatment system was almost unknown to substance using refugees. Conclusions: It is recommended that the addiction treatment services provide outreach work in community accommodations for refugees in order to inform about the addiction treatment system in Germany and to explain counselling offers to substance using refugees. It is advisable to provide information about consumption risks, especially in relation to alcohol, cannabis and cocaine.