Characteristics of Northern Plains American Indians seeking substance abuse treatment in an urban, non-tribal clinic: A descriptive study.

This is the Results Article for CTN-0033-Ot-4.

Because few data exist on substance abuse rates in American Indian (AI) communities, the Methamphetamine and Other Drug project (CTN-0033) was developed and implemented by five nodes with NIDA’S National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN).

This article presents findings from AI clients in a Northern Plains, urban, non-Native substance abuse treatment setting, who were surveyed about their current and past substance use using the Addiction Severity Index – Native American Version (ASI-NAV). Alcohol and marijuana were used earlier, longer, and by more clients, followed by stimulants and prescription opioids. Most patients regularly smoked tobacco. Differences in substance use patterns were associated with age of onset and victimization. Age of onset was correlated with victimization, gender, cognitive impairment, and suicidal behavior. Despite considerable health and economic disparities, most clients found support for recovery in relationships and elements of Native culture, however no correlation was found between cultural engagement and substance use patterns or age of first use.

The finding that age of substance use initiation was lower for clients using alcohol plus illicit drugs than for alcohol-only clients helps to inform prevention efforts for AI adolescents in the Aberdeen area. Based on this finding, it appears that such efforts should start prior to age 13 and should target both alcohol and illicit drug use.