Exploring the Impact of Substance Use, Culture, and Trauma on American Indian Adolescents

There are several challenges adolescents face on a daily basis, and this is particularly true for American Indian adolescents, where rates of substance use and trauma are high. Due to the significant gaps in research focusing on American Indian adolescents and client-centered interventions, it is difficult to determine what might serve as the best format for providing services. Furthermore, cultural identity can play a major role for American Indian adolescents receiving treatment for substance use and cooccurring disorders. Research has proven that incorporating culturally- and trauma-specific interventions into the treatment milieu can decrease the potential for relapse. However, understanding the complexities of substance use, cultural identity, and trauma for American Indian adolescents can be a daunting task for many rehabilitation professionals. This article explores the impact of substance use, culture, and trauma on the lives of American Indian adolescents and implications for rehabilitation professionals when working with AI clients/consumers. Gaining an understanding regarding how substance use, culture, and trauma affect the lives of American Indian adolescents is vital for the development of culturallyrelevant and appropriate interventions.