Co-Occurring Disorders--Native Americans
This issue introduces recommended treatment approaches, cultural
competency and awareness issues, and effective treatment strategies
for counselors serving Native American and Alaskan.
Census
data indicates that American Indians make up one to two percent
of the United States population, with greater than 500 American
Indian tribes and 250 Alaska Native villages. There has been movement
of Native Americans away from reservations to more urban populations.
The median age for Native Americans is 20.4 years while the Alaskan
Native median age is at 17.9. This compares to the general population
median age of 30.0. Over 50% of the Native American population is
under that age of 25. The mortality and morbidity rates related
to substance abuse problems in the Native American population are
tragic.
Several
significant barriers to successful treatment engagement and retention
face Native Americans and Alaska Natives. The most obvious issue
is the differing sociocultural belief systems between the client
and the counselor when they have different cultural backgrounds.
Often
Native Americans and Alaska Natives do not make a sharp distinction
between physical and mental illnesses. Illness is often viewed as
a lack of harmony and therapy involves restoring a balance. For
native people with substance abuse disorders, traditional healing
methods are of considerable interest. It has been suggested that
treatment programs for native people are more effective if traditional
healing practices are respected and, if possible incorporated into
treatment. Some traditional healing practices include the nativistic
movements, sacred dances, sweat lodges, talking circle, four circles,
and “sings”.
A number
of factors contribute to difficulties in providing adequate services
to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and other populations thatsuffer
from co-occurring disorders. You may want to see more
for the detail description.
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