American Indian and Alaska Native substance abuse: co-morbidity and cultural issues.
The devastating impact of substance abuse on American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) is reviewed with an emphasis on psychological and physical effects. Co-morbidity of substance abuse, trans-generational trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and depression among AI/ANs is also discussed since each condition may cause, impact, and/or exacerbate the others. The Medicine Wheel, one respected and accepted treatment approach developed by AI/AN communities, is described in detail since it helps address all of the co-morbid issues discussed.
Gray
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University of Arizona College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Nye
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology