Major Contributing Factors
“A recent study of at-risk AI/ ANs in Los Angeles County found that, compared to all other ethnic/racial groups, AI/ANs reported a significantly younger age of onset of alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, and other drug use, as well as higher mean number of illicit drug injections in the past 30 days. Thus, understanding potential predictors of positive in-treatment outcomes may optimize treatment interventions and reduce substance use-related health risks for urban AI/ANs”(Spear, Denerig, et al., 337).
Major contributing factors to the issue of alcohol abuse are genetics, stress and depression. Low self-esteem is a common psychological issues reported in young Native Americans. Coping with the reality of their heritage is a difficult feat, whether they have been assimilated through generations or maintained the customs and tradition within their historically designated territories. There is a constant reminder of their tragic history surrounding them, which could lead to depression; there exist definite correlations between the usage of alcohol and depression. “The adolescent social world is important to our understanding of Native American youth problems since, with few exceptions, they represent a very small proportion of students within schools; this social and cultural isolation all but force them to make higher numbers of cross-racial/ ethnic friendships” and thus be exposed to the realities of ethnic groups outside of their own, which can produce positive or negative effects because of the polarizing effect of being exposed to socio-economic reality (Rees, Freng, et al., 411).
Major contributing factors to the issue of alcohol abuse are genetics, stress and depression. Low self-esteem is a common psychological issues reported in young Native Americans. Coping with the reality of their heritage is a difficult feat, whether they have been assimilated through generations or maintained the customs and tradition within their historically designated territories. There is a constant reminder of their tragic history surrounding them, which could lead to depression; there exist definite correlations between the usage of alcohol and depression. “The adolescent social world is important to our understanding of Native American youth problems since, with few exceptions, they represent a very small proportion of students within schools; this social and cultural isolation all but force them to make higher numbers of cross-racial/ ethnic friendships” and thus be exposed to the realities of ethnic groups outside of their own, which can produce positive or negative effects because of the polarizing effect of being exposed to socio-economic reality (Rees, Freng, et al., 411).