Native American Drug Addiction is Rising

While it is true that most cases of substance abuse among Native Americans involve alcohol, drug addiction treatment admissions are gaining in percentage. And although Native American alcohol dependence is a major problem and needs continued attention, the shift to drug addiction must gain focus as well.

Both the Native American community and the general public need to be educated on the facts about methamphetamine addiction. For drug treatment admissions it is the fastest growing stated drug of choice by percentage.

Marijuana and cocaine use has risen gradually among Native Americans while methamphetamine addiction has skyrocketed. The low cost and high availability of the drug is responsible for its popularity, especially among adolescents.

Tarzana Treatment Centers specializes in alcohol and drug treatment for Native Americans. Our program allows cultural and traditional activities to continue throughout treatment. If necessary, medical detoxification is available for alcohol and other drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription drugs. Medication Assisted Treatment is also available to reduce alcohol cravings.

The Public Broadcasting Service website provides the information below. The website is a also fine source for education on culture and tradition in the Native American community.

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Alcohol and drugs are hard facts of life for too many urban and reservation Indians. Native Americans are five times more likely to die of alcohol-related causes than whites, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.

Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis — diseases associated with alcoholism — are the sixth leading cause of death among Native Americans. They are not even among the top 10 in whites.

Illegal drugs — marijuana, opiates, cocaine and stimulants — are increasing among Indians, but the drug of choice is still alcohol. One study found that among Indians entering substance abuse treatment programs in the U.S. in 2002, 63 percent were struggling with alcohol compared with only 42 percent for all other admissions.

-- Source: http://www.pbs.org/indiancountry/challenges/abuse.html --

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles makes a daily effort to find treatment news articles that we can share with our readers in the alcohol and drug treatment community. The external content was found among other articles of equal informational and educational quality.

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