With over three decades of experience in the practice of Clinical Psychiatry, Wayne Macfadden MD, serves the Spirit Lake Indian Nation Tribe Health Center as a Psychiatrist. At the Spirit Lake Reservation, Wayne Macfadden MD, treats Native American Indians with mental health, alcoholism and addiction challenges.
Native Americans have historically suffered from problems with alcohol use disorder and substance use disorders.
The book “Ethnocultural Factors in Substance Abuse Treatment” by Shulamith Lala Ashenberg Straussner states that for Native Americans to benefit the most from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment, a culturally-sensitive approach is useful. The book stresses that treatment plans should be mindful of the needs of Native Americans. For example, Native Americans may be responsive to tribal and spiritual interventions in addition to more usual therapies.
It is also important to get family members of Native Americans involved in the SUD treatment, with education and prevention programs. This may reduce the risk of substance abuse within the family and the tribe.
Native Americans are more likely to sustain long-term abstinence with the implementation of a long-term aftercare program that enhances their cultural and spiritual beliefs.
