Our Native American Addiction Treatment Support

Get Help Covered Using AIHP at Changes Healing Center

Everyone has a unique story when it comes to substance abuse, but there are often common threads that surface. When it comes to getting Native American addiction treatment, you need support from a team of clinicians who understand what you have been through and continue to go through.

Why should your addiction treatment be tailored to your background?

It is probably not news to you that Native Americans have significant historical trauma from forced relocation, genocide, and more. The result is often anxiety and depression, substance use, and catalysts for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Combine that with economic problems for many tribes and tribal members with mental health issues are often left without effective local treatment options.

Changes Healing Center can help you make a meaningful move toward healing from mental health and drug or alcohol misuse. Keep reading to learn more about how Native American communities are impacted by a prevalent substance use issue, and how the programs at Changes can support for recovery for our native clients.

Barriers to Receiving Care for Drug and Alcohol Misuse

With some of those statistics in mind, you might be wondering what holds people back from accessing the treatment services that are so readily available for substance use disorders.

Some of the reasons people don’t seek help are easily overcome such as lack of transportation to rehab. Others are far more complex.

Other reasons for not seeking help can include:

• Lack of health insurance: Many Native Americans don’t have traditional health insurance or may have AIHP which doesn’t always cover care at all treatment centers.
• Low socioeconomic status: Cost is often a barrier to treatment, especially when so many people are struggling with just the bare necessities of food and shelter.
• Stigma: Despite the prevalence of substance use disorder among this population, there is still a very serious issue with stigma and how they will be perceived if they pursue sober living and a more Western approach to a treatment program.
• Lack of culturally relevant models: Native Americans have their own traditional healing practices and treatment methods. They might feel like they aren’t getting the help they need with a modern treatment program designed to support lasting recovery for other Westerners.

If the Native American population is going to be supported, an alcohol and drug rehab like Changes Healing Center must embrace the differences between ethnic groups and even tribes themselves. This allows our clinicians to take a holistic approach to the entire person during outpatient or inpatient rehab for lasting recovery.

What Factors Cause High Rates of Substance Misuse in Tribal Populations?

An inpatient rehab could be the perfect next step for you, but it helps to have a broad overview of why these issues are so prevalent in the population.

From the perspective of historical trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder to socioeconomic status and generational trauma, there are several reasons why you may be at greater risk of substance misuse.

Here is a quick snapshot of the reasons Native Americans might need to consider making excellent use of our addiction treatment programs at Changes Healing Center in the Grand Canyon State.

Historical Trauma and Substance Abuse in Native American Populations

Getting to the root cause of behavioral health issues and substance abuse is essential. It’s impossible to treat Native clients without first understanding the historical trauma that influences drug and alcohol use. A substance abuse treatment model needs to help people at the source rather than simply treating symptoms.

You might think that you don’t have generational trauma, but it impacts people more than they think. There is a clear history and pattern among Native peoples that leads to a multigenerational experience of historical events. Think about these events: forced relocation, genocide, and moving children to a government-sponsored boarding school.

Even if these actions didn’t impact you directly, the collective toll they took on your family and extended peer support network influences substance abuse.

A Closer Look at the Effects of Generational Trauma and its Effects

Generational trauma leads to substance misuse and mental health disorders including depression and anxiety. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, it also increases suicide risk. However, many of the symptoms of historical trauma are insidious, influencing your day-to-day life without a second thought.

As families were placed under stress, it led to a clear breakdown in family values. Where families were once close-knit and valued time together, individuals often break away from these old standards and ways of life. Not surprisingly, there is more child abuse and neglect which could serve as a trigger for substance abuse in its own right.

Internally, members of tribal communities in Arizona (and across the US) might find that they have more issues with a sense of meaning and hope. They often internalize the issues that face their people group, subjecting themselves to internal dialogue about their difficulties and practices in contrast to those of pop culture.

All of this also sets the stage for post-traumatic stress disorder which is important to address in dual diagnosis treatment.

Socioeconomic Challenges in Native Populations Leading to Treatment Services

Historical trauma isn’t the only catalyst for enrolling in a treatment center that focuses on substance misuse and mental health treatment. It isn’t uncommon to find that clients in this people group tend to be in a lower socioeconomic category.

Unfortunately, the link between economic status and substance use is complex but clear: Those who struggle to provide for themselves or their families tend to abuse drugs and alcohol at might higher rates compared to those in more affluent groups.

Frequent drug use was found to be linked to lower socioeconomic groups according to researchers. It was also an indicator of episodic drug use which can open the door to addiction over time. While it may be harder to obtain drugs and alcohol due to the cost barrier, many people prioritize it and find a way.

Keep in mind that socioeconomic status is also a barrier to receiving health education and treatment from a qualified alcohol or drug rehab. For many people, this is a lose-lose situation that keeps them mired in substance misuse for longer than strictly necessary.

Cultural Beliefs and Spiritual Healing in Addiction Treatment

With some of the statistics and contributing factors to drug and alcohol use covered, it’s important to tune into some of the most effective options for substance abuse treatment. While the number of Native Americans seeking treatment is high, not all programs are equipped to help with long-term sobriety.

An important component of treatment is spiritual healing, as this is often very closely tied to the identity and community that you come from.

Most people who were going to seek help for their addiction sought out the assistance of a biomedical provider. However, the number of people who wanted to tap into a more spiritual aspect of healing was also worth noting. Between traditional healing that is practiced among the tribe and the spiritual aspect of Twelve Step programs, there is plenty providers can offer.

Phoenix and the surrounding area are home to a thriving Twelve Step meeting community, and you’ll also find many of these meetings as part of Changes Healing Center. We aim to be supportive of our clients and we recognize that faith and spirituality play an integral role in healing.

Why Choose Changes Healing Center for Mental Health Treatment?

Are you ready to seek help for mental health disorders and traditional healing practices aren’t working for you anymore? Mental illness isn’t going to go away on its own. Changes Healing Center can help you take the first steps toward healing.

Here are a few reasons why our rehab centers may be the right fit for you.

Accredited Treatment Convenient to Phoenix

You want to ensure that you’re getting the gold standard of care from your treatment center, no matter what the reason for your enrollment. Changes Healing Center in Phoenix is proud to be accredited by the Joint Commission. This accreditation means that we uphold the comfort and safety of our clients at every turn.

The Joint Commission ensures that our treatment center complies with OSHA and CMS standards, but they also have their own stringent criteria that we adhere to. The result is a safe and supportive place for you to land when you need detox, residential treatment, or help with drug and alcohol use at any stage.

Wide Range of Support Options for Mental Health Disorders

A medical detox is often the first step in the journey of healing from substance abuse, but what if drugs and alcohol aren’t your primary concern? Changes Healing Center supports mental illness at every level as well. Get the help you need tailored to your unique concerns.

We believe in offering help for serious concerns via our residential treatment programs in addition to our outpatient care for those who need to maintain a connection to their families and communities. We can work with you to make sure you get the supportive environment you require to heal.

The other benefit of our flexible system is that you can access the entire continuum of care. Start with a more intensive residential program and then gradually transition to intensive outpatient. All the support you need is available inside one of our programs and treatment services.

AIHP Insurance Accepted at Our Native American Addiction Treatment Program

For many Native American communities, low socioeconomic status haunts them. Unfortunately, this can serve as a very significant barrier to entry into addiction treatment or dual diagnosis treatment. Never allow the cost of care to be the thing that holds you back from taking the first steps toward healing.

Changes Healing Center accepts AIHP insurance coverage for drug and alcohol abuse or mental health issues. We make it simple to enroll in our treatment center and get the help you need right away.

Not sure what the out-of-pocket cost will be with your AIHP insurance? Our enrollment team can verify your benefits quickly and give you an estimated idea of the cost of your treatment services. Our team can work with you to ensure that the cost of your care is within reach.

Trauma-Informed Approach with Evidence-Based Practices

As seen from the statistics of SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) there is a serious need for clinicians to approach client care from a trauma-informed angle. Even if it seems like the events of the past don’t impact you personally, you may be surprised at how much they influence your worldview.

Changes Healing Center employs a trauma-informed lens at all stages of the journey. We understand the clear connection between the trauma of your community and your personal experience.

We also pride ourselves on offering evidence-based practices ranging from cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapies to motivational interviewing, music and art therapy to yoga therapy. Do your best to participate in as many activities and therapies as we offer.

You never know which one might hold the key that unlocks your healing.

Culturally Sensitive Clinicians with Unique Treatment Plans

Once you enter our treatment program, you need to ensure that our clinicians understand substance use disorders and your culture. To this end, Changes Healing Center is proud to employ a team of culturally sensitive clinicians who do their best to understand your background and where you are coming from.

At the same time, we also understand that it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to healing. Just because we have two clients who come from Native American communities doesn’t mean they need identical treatment plans for a substance use disorder.

Everyone who comes through our doors gets a unique and customized treatment plan that touches on the issues you experience. From day one, you’ll have access to services that are geared toward your healing and your experiences. Let us get to know you and create a treatment program just for you.

Get Support at Changes Healing Center in Phoenix Today

Our clinical staff firmly believes that Changes Healing Center is the right fit for your drug and alcohol use or mental health treatment needs. We are more than happy to answer your questions, verify your health insurance coverage, and connect you with clinicians who can help you start to heal.

All it takes is one phone call to our admissions staff to get started in our treatment center. Let our warm and welcoming enrollment team help you find a safe and supportive environment within Changes.

Call today to learn more about how we can assist you with addiction treatment!

 

References

1. 2018 NSDUH detailed tables. SAMHSA. (n.d.).
2. Dickerson, D. L., Spear, S., Marinelli-Casey, P., Rawson, R., Li, L., & Hser, Y. I. (2011). American indians/alaska natives and substance abuse treatment outcomes: positive signs and continuing challenges. Journal of addictive diseases, 30(1), 63–74.
3. SAMHSA. (n.d.-b). Understanding historical trauma and resilience when responding to an event in Indian country.
4. Soto, C., West, A. E., Ramos, G. G., & Unger, J. B. (2022). Substance and Behavioral Addictions among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(5), 2974.
5. Gerra, G., Benedetti, E., Resce, G., Potente, R., Cutilli, A., & Molinaro, S. (2020). Socioeconomic Status, Parental Education, School Connectedness and Individual Socio-Cultural Resources in Vulnerability for Drug Use among Students. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(4), 1306.
6. Beals, J., Novins, D. K., Spicer, P., Whitesell, N. R., Mitchell, C. M., Manson, S. M., & American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk, and Protective Factors Project Team (2006). Help seeking for substance use problems in two American Indian reservation populations. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), 57(4), 512–520.