NCJ Number
183278
Date Published
1999
Length
189 pages
Annotation
Chapters of this book discuss historical perspectives on Native American addictions; the nature of substance abuse among Native Americans; prevention, intervention, and cultural treatment; and the new addiction, Indian gaming.
Abstract
Chapters that address historical perspectives on Native American addictions explore the pre-Columbian worldview of Native Americans and their aboriginal lifestyle, as well as Euro-American control processes and their impact on Indian marginality. Part II reviews current research on the nature and extent of substance abuse among American Indians and Native Alaskans. This includes a chapter on psychological factors, followed by a chapter on epidemiological studies of substance abuse and related health problems. Another chapter addresses one of the most serious health problems facing American Indians and Alaskan Natives, i.e., fetal alcoholism. Part III focuses on treatment, intervention, and prevention issues that face therapists who treat Native Americans' addictions. Chapters explore primary and secondary clinical diagnoses from the perspective of the American Indian culture and consider culture-specific prevention and treatment strategies for fetal alcoholism, with attention to efforts of the three largest tribes: the Navajo, Cherokee, and Sioux. Another chapter in this section provides current Federal clinical standards and practice guidelines for Indian country. Part IV explores the current controversy over Indian gaming. A chapter reviews the link between reduced Federal funding and greater tribal autonomy under the U.S./Indian policies of self-determination and "New Federalism" relevant to the gaming industry in Indian country. The concluding chapter in this section discusses prevention and treatment issues regarding gambling addiction. A 338-item bibliography and a subject index