Native Americans and Alcoholism

Alcoholism in native Americans has a long history. Introduction of alcohol in America led to the degradation of the native culture. Today's generation of native Americans are 'sandwiched' between a rich heritage of past and misery of present. Alcohol is one of the major factors in the downfall of the native American culture. Earlier, alcohol was introduced in America by the European settlers. The natives who were new to alcohol, then got addicted to it and today we can see 3-4 generations of natives carrying forward the 'tradition' of acquired alcoholism.

Alcohol was mainly used by the Europeans to cheat, exploit and slaughter the natives for political and monetary gains. Later on, the natives got so used to alcohol that complete recovery from it became almost impossible. The change in lifestyle which was induced by alcohol, led to the devastation of social and cultural values of the natives. Let us understand in detail about native Americans and alcohol abuse.

Alcoholism among Native Americans

As per the 'National Household Survey on Drug Abuse', 80% of adolescents who have used alcohol are native Americans. The natives have always been a high risk group in terms of drug and alcohol abuse. Studies conducted by the 'Native American Development Corporation' state that major factors which are responsible for alcohol abuse in the natives are cultural conflict, low self-esteem and post-traumatic stress. The percentage of native Americans to get addicted is 5 times greater than the white population.

Efforts are being taken in the eradication of alcoholism in native Americans. The various models used in the process of alcohol treatment are 'Medical Model', 'Assimilative Model', 'Psychosocial Model', 'Syncretic Model' and 'Culture-Sensitive Model'. The Medical model considers alcoholism as a disease and therefore, doesn't go well with many native Americans who do not consider themselves as diseased or sick. Nowadays, however, it is seen that native Americans are taking collaborative actions along with the federal government in dealing with the problem of alcohol abuse. As per the records maintained by Indian Health Services, 360 programs are operating in tribal areas for the eradication of alcohol abuse.

Substance Abuse
The problem of alcohol abuse among natives is well-known; however, the percentage of drug abuse too is increasing. The drug which is commonly used by the native Americans is methamphetamine. Cocaine and marijuana too are used regularly. Availability of drugs at low costs is one of the factors of rise in substance abuse.

Substance treatment programs that are suitable for the native Americans are recommended. This way, the results obtained by treatment measures are far more fruitful. The psychological aspect should also be considered in the treatment of drug and alcohol abuse. Most of the natives have turned to alcohol and drug addiction from the trauma of the past. A sense of guilt, shame and anger has always prevailed in the natives for a long time. Healing the emotional pain that the natives have undergone is more important.

The fact that native Americans face health-related, economic and social problems due to alcoholism, leads to the creation of barrier between them and rest of the world. It is necessary to build a bridge between the rich culture of the American tribes and the modern world.