An investigation of substance use patterns and associated issues in urban treatment-seeking Northern Plains American Indians.

This presentation reports on protocol CTN-0033-Ot-4, an exploratory study examining the epidemiology of methamphetamine use and co-occurring problems and disorders in diverse Native American communities in the Aberdeen area of North Dakota. Information was collected from three samples of American Indians seeking treatment at an urban, non-tribal substance use treatment program in the Northern Plains. Examination of the substance use patterns and associated issues of the sample population found that alcohol was the most frequent presenting problem for treatment-seeking urban American Indians in the region, and that these clients face numerous economic and health disparities.

The importance of elements of Native culture were found to differ for some American Indians seeking treatment for substance abuse problems in urban settings, and urban treatment providers should consider cultural identification, as well as health and economic disparities, when developing individual treatment and referral plans.

Related protocols: CTN-0033-Ot-4