Beneath the Snow: Addiction, Assimilation, and Structural Neglect

Pixaby. 2021.

      Recently, I have noticed that under thick blankets of ice and snow, every house looks the same. From the outside, they appear in uniform, quiet, intact, untouched. Yet, inside many homes, there are those with a global history: stories of how they arrived, who they were before, and the pressures that shaped them. Within those walls live etched memories of sacrifice and survival. There is something vaguely sinister in the way society often speaks about minority and immigrant communities, romanticizing resilience and perseverance, while overlooking the fallout that unfolds behind closed doors. For many, what remains hidden within these homes is the struggles of addiction, caused not by any moral failure but by systemic neglect. Addiction does not emerge in isolation; it often reflects pressure and loss within environments that were never built to support all communities equally [1].

Fundamentally, addiction is driven by biological processes. Substances and addictive behaviors disrupt the brain’s reward system by overstimulating dopamine pathways, reinforcing compulsive use, and weakening impulse control [2]. Chronic stress and trauma intensify these effects, increasing vulnerability to substance use disorders. Minority populations experience these conditions at higher rates due to societal stressors such as discrimination that persist across generations [3].

The consequences of addiction within minority communities extend beyond physical dependence. Individuals frequently encounter stigma within their own communities and in broader society, where addiction is framed as a personal failure rather than a medical condition [4]. Barriers such as limited access to culturally responsive care and fear of institutional consequences further delay treatment and worsen outcomes [5].

Addiction also takes forms that are often overlooked. While substance-related disorders receive the most attention, behavioral addictions tied to coping and control are less visible [6].  These behaviours may include compulsive overworking in pursuit of stability or validation, eating disorders, excessive engagement with digital media as a means of escape or connection, gambling behaviours linked to financial pressure, and shopping addictions [6]. These patterns can provide short-term relief from stress and social marginalization, while causing long-term harm for the individual [6].

A risk factor for addiction in immigrant populations is acculturation. It is the cultural modification of an individual, group, or people as they adapt to or borrow traits from a new culture [7]. First-generation immigrants often show lower rates of substance use upon arrival, known as the “healthy immigrant effect” [8]. Over time, this protective effect weakens as acculturative stress and discrimination accumulate, particularly among second-generation immigrants navigating conflicting expectations [9].

When immigrants settle into their new home countries, they move into spaces where they are viewed through an illusion of sameness, and they are often expected to represent their communities' best qualities. While unity may be seen from the outside, private wounds caused by displacement and loss fester. When these experiences go unacknowledged, poor mental health can help blossom [10].

Immigrant families are frequently praised for perseverance, while the cost of that endurance tends to be put onto the next generation. According to kidsnewtocanada.ca, immigrant youth are more likely than their native-born counterparts to be socially disadvantaged or experience poverty [11].  Furthermore, there are higher rates of addiction in second-generation immigrants than in their parents [11]. This may be due to the fact that risk factors tend to increase with greater acculturation and time since immigration, particularly when youth feel pressure to conform to peer norms [11]. With the growing cultural divide between parents and child, and fear of social rejection, substances and other addictions become an “in”. In these conditions, addiction is not an exception but a response to sustained psychological and social distress [12].

However, protective factors such as strong family bonds, open communication, ethnic pride, and cultural or religious norms that emphasize abstinence or minimal substance use can significantly reduce the risk of substance misuse among immigrant youth [11]. Moreover, research suggests that a young person’s ability to communicate openly with family about life stressors serves as a key protective factor [11]. In comparison, limited access to family support increases vulnerability [11]. Remaining connected to school environments and community structures further reinforces stability, while certain genetic characteristics may offer additional biological protection against heavy substance use [11]. Overall, prevention efforts must focus on opening culturally sensitive lines of communication between parents and children, strengthening trust and understanding [11]. Early intervention can be extremely critical.

Ultimately, addiction in minority communities reveals a broader societal failure. We live within systems that prioritize productivity over well-being and assimilation over authenticity. Recovery cannot rely on treatment alone; it requires a willingness to confront the conditions that allow suffering to remain hidden beneath the surface.

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13. Pixaby . House-winter-countryside-season [Internet]. 2021. Available from: https://pixabay.com/vectors/house-winter-countryside-season-6968714/