Hispanic Perspectives on Recovery High Schools: If We Build Them, Will They Come?

Abstract

Recovery High Schools (RHSs) have been among the continuum of care for adolescents experiencing addiction since 1979 (Moberg & Finch, 2008). Outcome studies for RHSs are limited, and even less is known about RHS engagement of Hispanics. RHS students are overwhelmingly middle-class non-Hispanic White students with prior formal treatment (Moberg & Finch, 2008). Hispanic youth are more likely to live in discordant low-income ethnic enclaves, placing them at high risk for addictive disorders (Torres, Kaplan, & Valdez, 2011). The individualized approach of RHSs could make them a culturally relevant continuing care intervention. This paper reviews the literature to explore the use of RHSs by Hispanics.