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Mental Health, Physical Health, and Cultural Characteristics Among American Indians/Alaska Natives Seeking Substance Use Treatment in an Urban Setting: A Descriptive Study

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Abstract

Although approximately 70% of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) reside in urban areas, our knowledge of risk and protective factors among AI/ANs seeking substance use treatment within urban areas is limited. We analyze substance and commercialized cigarette use, AI/AN cultural identity and involvement, physical health and cognitive functioning, and mental health symptoms among 63 AI/AN adults seeking substance use treatment within an urban area in California. Alcohol (37%), marijuana (27%), and methamphetamine (22%) were the most commonly reported substances. Sixty-two percent used commercialized tobacco use. The majority of AI/AN adults (78%) engaged in at least one traditional practice during the past month and endorsed high levels of spiritual connectedness. Those who engaged in traditional practices demonstrated significantly less depression (p = 0.007) and anxiety (p = 0.04). Medical and mental health issues were not prominent, although participants revealed high levels of cognitive impairment. Results highlight the importance of utilizing AI/AN traditional practices for AI/AN adults seeking substance use treatment within urban areas. Clinical Trials Registry Number NCT01356667.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank our community partners and the DARTNA Community Advisory Board for their guidance in this study. We would also like to thank Blanca Dominguez for her assistance in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 11075 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA, 90025, USA

    Daniel L. Dickerson

  2. RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, USA

    Elizabeth J. D’Amico & David J. Klein

  3. Sacred Path Indigenous Wellness Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90017, USA

    Carrie L. Johnson & Benjamin Hale

  4. RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Feifei Ye

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  1. Daniel L. Dickerson
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Correspondence to Daniel L. Dickerson.

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Dickerson, D.L., D’Amico, E.J., Klein, D.J. et al. Mental Health, Physical Health, and Cultural Characteristics Among American Indians/Alaska Natives Seeking Substance Use Treatment in an Urban Setting: A Descriptive Study. Community Ment Health J 57, 937–947 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00688-3

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