Seeking Alcohol Addiction Treatment as a Native American or a Native Alaskan

Unfortunately, the common stereotype that Native Americans and Native Alaskans have issues with alcohol addiction is true in many cases. They are also not as likely to seek the treatment that they need in order to end their substance abuse issues.

In order to find the treatment that you require as a Native American, you need to understand the issues associated with alcohol, why you should seek treatment away from the reservation, and how to find viable alternatives for alcohol addiction treatment.

Alcohol Related Deaths among Native Americans and Native Alaskans

According to the Centers for Disease Control, alcohol related deaths account for 11.7 percent of the overall deaths in the Native American and Alaskan Native populations. When this statistic is adjusted for age and population it equals almost twice that of the United States general population.

Some Native Americans refuse to seek addiction treatment due to their cultural traditions.

Alcohol deaths include:

• drunk driving accidents
• accidental deaths
• alcohol related violence
• alcohol poisoning
• alcohol related diseases

It is also estimated that the American Indian and Alaskan Native lifespan is reduced by at least six years due to chronic alcoholism and sometimes drug abuse. These statistics alone are enough to warrant alcohol addiction treatment.

For help finding a culturally sensitive treatment center call 800-481-6965 (Who Answers?) .

Reasons to Seek Treatment Outside of your Community

Native American and Alaskan American cultures are usually close knit societies. In this type of society it is very difficult to find privacy for something like alcohol addiction treatment.

Lack of qualified treatment facilities

Small communities do not have the resources for multiple modes of treatment or treatment facilities. Personalized treatment and multiple treatment choices are an excellent reason to seek outside help.

Culturally customized treatment plans

A treatment plan that takes into account your culture, ethnicity, and beliefs is extremely important for recovery and relapse prevention. Finding a treatment center that has both the facilities you need and is culturally customized is difficult in a small community.

Environmental Factors that Lead to Alcohol Abuse

Barriers to alcohol addiction treatment

There are a variety of barriers to addiction treatment that Native Americans and Alaskan Natives face. A few of these barriers are:

• close community relations
• lack of privacy
• not seeking treatment due to cultural traditions
• poverty and cost of treatment
• less access to treatment

These barriers can be overcome by simply seeking treatment outside of the tribal community.

Stigma of treatment in a close knit closed culture

In a close knit culture seeking alcohol treatment can be difficult. People often feel as if they are being persecuted for seeking treatment when they’ve unintentionally conformed to a stereotype. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, stigma is a huge barrier to seeking alcohol or drug treatment in any culture.

Finding Options for Treatment

It is easy to find treatment options as a Native American or a Native Alaskan. All you have to do is call 800-481-6965 (Who Answers?) to find a qualified, private treatment facility. We can help you find the treatment you need to overcome your alcohol addiction.