Addressing trauma in substance abuse treatment with American Indian adolescents

Substance abuse among American Indian adolescents is a serious problem that frequently continues into adulthood. Therefore, it is important to investigate all potential means of prevention and treatment of substance abuse that might improve the physical and psychological health it undermines. This paper examines the prevalence of substance abuse and its potential relationships with physical/emotional trauma or loss that occurs in American Indian adolescents' lives. The possible benefits of addressing trauma and posttraumatic stress as means of enhancing treatment is explored. An example of residential treatment that involved a focus on trauma and loss is included.