Alcohol and other drug use is a serious problem among American Indian and Alaska Native women. However, information about their needs for treatment is lacking. In response, a study was conducted to document the life experiences and perceived recovery needs of American Indian and Alaska Native women at nine treatment centers nationwide. The data show […]
Abstract Topics: Native Americans
Organization and financing of alcohol and substance abuse programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
OBJECTIVES: Although American Indians and Alaska Natives have high rates of substance abuse, few data about treatment services for this population are available. We used national data from 1997-2002 to describe recent trends in organizational and financial arrangements. METHODS: Using data from the Indian Health Service (IHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, […]
Outcomes of drug and alcohol treatment programs among American Indians in California.
OBJECTIVES: We examined differences in substance abuse treatment outcomes between American Indians and their non-American Indian counterparts in California, during 2000 to 2002. METHODS: A total of 368 American Indians and a matched sample of 368 non-American Indians from 39 substance abuse treatment programs in 13 California counties were assessed at multiple time points. Records […]
Substance abuse prevalence and treatment utilization among American Indians residing on-reservation.
American Indians residing on-reservation were interviewed regarding their substance use and treatment utilization. One-third had a current substance abuse problem. Predictors included gender, tribe, age, employment status, household income, and educational attainment. Almost two-thirds of those with substance abuse problems had received no treatment within the past year. A combination of formal and informal treatment […]
Substance dependency among homeless American Indians.
Extensive qualitative research in the San Francisco Bay Area in California and in Tucson, Arizona, indicates strong associations between substance abuse and homelessness among American Indians. This article takes a comparative approach to describe and analyze precipitating factors and survival patterns of those who are both homeless and who suffer from substance dependency. Possible precipitating […]
American Indians and suicide: a neglected area of research.
Suicide is a major public health problem for American Indians in the United States. Published studies indicate that American Indians experience the highest rate of suicide of all ethnic groups in the United States. This article synthesizes the epidemiology and risk factors associated with suicide among American Indians, barriers to research, prevention, mental-health services, and […]
Causes of visual impairment and common eye problems in Northwest American Indians and Alaska Natives.
OBJECTIVES: Little information exists regarding the causes of visual impairment and the most common eye problems in American Indians/Alaska Natives. METHODS: We randomly sampled American Indians/Alaska Natives older than 40 years from 3 tribes within the Northwest region. RESULTS: We found a higher prevalence of visual impairment and normal-tension glaucoma, as well as a lower […]
Visual impairment and eye abnormalities in Oklahoma Indians.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment and eye abnormalities in Oklahoma Indians. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 1019 Oklahoma Indians, aged 48 to 82 years; 60.2% were women. All participants gave a personal interview, and all underwent an eye examination, including the determination of best-corrected visual acuity and an ophthalmoscopic examination. In addition, […]