Community Partnership to Affect Substance Abuse among Native American Adolescents

Indigenous Healing and Seeking Safety: A Blended Implementation Project for Intergenerational Trauma and Substance Use Disorders

“…A study by Lowe, Liang, Riggs, and Henson (2012) found that culturally based interventions with Native American adolescents were significantly more effective at reducing substance use and related problems than non-culturally based interventions. In a recent randomized controlled trial, Hien et al (2015) tested the benefits of combining Seeking Safety with sertraline, a frontline medication for PTSD shown also to affect drinking outcomes.…”

Advancing American Indian and Alaska Native Substance Abuse Research: Current Science and Future Directions

“…AI/AN communities are well aware of the challenges they face, but have been steadfast in promoting the protective and healing functions of their distinctive cultural traditions and the methods they have long employed to support and heal members of their communities. These culturally based assets and healing practices have the potential to play a positive role in addressing and decreasing substance abuse and related problems (15)(16)(17)(18), and must continue to be investigated and incorporated into interventions with AI/AN populations.…”

“…In addition, even if the interventions are or could be successful, a larger issue might be that without adaptation interventions will not be accepted by communities, particularly when implemented with less acculturated groups. Yet, an important finding is that research on culturally tailored, evidence-based, and community-level interventions does indicate that these can help prevent substance abuse (18,20).…”

Healing of the Canoe: Preliminary Results of a Culturally Tailored Intervention to Prevent Substance Abuse and Promote Tribal Identity for Native Youth in Two Pacific Northwest Tribes​​

“…Removal of AI/AN children to boarding schools, theft of land, disruption of culture, loss of language and traditional practices, and the resulting grief has been associated with increased vulnerability to mental health and substance abuse issues for AI/ANs (Brave Heart & DeBruyn, 1998; Duran, Duran, Brave Heart, & Yellow Horse-Davis, 1998; Struthers & Lowe, 2003; Walters & Simoni, 2002). However, there is increasing evidence that cultural identity (i.e., one’s sense of belonging to an ethnic group, defined by cultural heritage; shared values, traditions, and practices; and often language; Phinney & Ong, 2007), cultural continuity (i.e., the transmission of core cultural beliefs, values, and traditions across generations), and feeling connected to one’s tribe and community are important for preventing substance abuse, suicide, and other significant behavioral health issues, and that community-based and culturally grounded programs may be the most effective prevention strategy (Gone & Calf Looking, 2011; Hawkins et al, 2004; Lane & Simmons, 2011; Lowe, Liang, Riggs, & Henson, 2012; Moran & Reaman, 2002; Thomas, Donovan, & Sigo, 2010). …”