The Role of Complicated Grief in Health Inequities in American Indian Communities.

Complicated grief is both a cause and a consequence of health inequities in Native (American Indian/Alaska Native [AI/AN]) communities. Given disproportionately high rates of physical (e.g.

Development and Feasibility Pilot Study of Indigenous Recovery Planning: A Community-Engaged Approach to Addressing Substance Use in a Native Community.

Although Native (American Indian and Alaska Native [AI/AN]) populations have high rates of abstinence from alcohol, health problems associated with substance use remain a pressing concern in many AI/AN communities. As part of a longstanding community-based participatory research (CBPR) project involving five years of relationship building and three preliminary studies, our team of academic and community co-researchers developed a culturally grounded intervention to facilitate recovery from substance use disorders among tribal members from a rural AI reservation. Our (IRP) intervention consists of six weekly sessions and aims to provide inroads to existing resources in the community, affirm and enhance Native identity, address culturally relevant risk factors, and build upon strengths.

Determinants of Relapse and Opportunities for Growth: Perspectives on Substance Use among American Indian Community Members.

Resulting from generations of historical oppression and systemic racism, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience serious health disparities associated with substance use disorders (SUDs). As part of a longstanding community-based participatory research intervention development project, our partnership of academic and community co-researchers conducted seven focus groups ( = 35) to understand community stakeholders' perspectives on substance use, relapse, and recovery on a rural AI reservation. Participants included cultural leaders ( = 10), SUD treatment providers ( = 5), people with SUD ( = 10), and affected family members ( = 10).

Historical trauma and substance use among American Indian people with current substance use problems.

Objective: In the United States, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people suffer health inequities associated with alcohol and other drug use and also experience historical trauma symptoms resulting from colonization. Research suggests that historical trauma may be associated with substance use among AI/ANs.

Method: As part of a Community-Based Participatory Research project with tribal partners from a rural AI reservation, our team collected cross-sectional survey data from 198 tribal members who self-identified as having substance use problems.

A Systematic Review of Trauma Interventions in Native Communities.

American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations communities suffer from health disparities associated with multiple forms of trauma exposure. Culturally appropriate interventions are needed to heal current and historical trauma wounds. Although there are evidence-based trauma interventions for other populations, few have been implemented or evaluated with Native communities.