Exploring Culturally Based Treatment Options for Opioid Use Disorders Among American Indian and Alaska Native Adults in California

• DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2022.83.613
• Publication Date: 2022-07-19T11:47:02Z
• Authors: Ingrid Zeledon; Victoria Telles; Daniel Dickerson; Carrie Johnson; Kurt Schweigman; Amy West; Claradina Soto
• Keywords: Adult; Alaska Natives; Substance-Related Disorders; Focus Groups; Alaskan Natives; Opioid-Related Disorders; California; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Indians; 11. Sustainability; Indians, North American; Humans; 0305 other medical science; North American

Objective: American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities have been severely affected by the opioid epidemic, resulting in high overdose death rates disrupted community life. An added complexity is diversity of AIAN throughout California, with regional differences, resources, infrastructure, economic opportunities. This study examined perspective 163 AIANs California to assess culturally based or traditional healing treatment modalities treat opioid/substance use disorder. Method: A total 21 adult focus groups were conducted 10 counties reaching 20 urban tribal communities. Eight these recovery centers 13 organizations. Interviews transcribed coded using NVivo software utilizing an iterative coding approach a priori domains. Results: Participants emphasized building sense belonging, connecting their culture, having awareness substance disorder as protective factors. Conclusions: Findings indicate that medications for programs serving should include cultural components resonate