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Substance dependency among homeless American Indians
Susan Lobo1, Margaret Mortensen Vaughan
1University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85719, USA.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
|May 8, 2003
Summary
Homelessness and substance abuse are strongly linked among American Indians, influenced by factors like childhood experiences and trauma. Survival involves family, community support, and cultural resilience.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Indigenous Studies
Background:
- Substance abuse and homelessness disproportionately affect American Indian populations.
- Understanding the unique precipitating factors and survival strategies is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively analyze the precipitating factors contributing to homelessness and substance dependency among American Indians.
- To describe and analyze the survival patterns and coping strategies employed by this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Extensive qualitative research was conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, and Tucson, Arizona.
- A comparative approach was used, incorporating case studies to explore precipitating factors and survival patterns.
Main Results:
- Childhood experiences (fostering, adoption into non-Native families), institutionalization, trauma, and loss were identified as significant precipitating factors.
- Survival strategies include reliance on extended family, friendships, formal/informal services, anchor households, sobriety groups, spirituality, and cultural resilience.
Conclusions:
- Interventions must address the complex interplay of historical trauma, cultural factors, and systemic issues.
- Strengthening community support systems and leveraging cultural strengths are vital for improving outcomes for homeless American Indians with substance dependency.