Alcoholism+Among+Native+Americans

My article is about Alcoholism in the Native American communities. It is an addicting disability, and disorder that are caused by a wide range of issues such as stress, mental health, genetic predisposition, ethnicity group, or social environment. Alcoholism is distinguished by an obsessive and wild consumption of alcohol. However, many Native Americans suffer from this disorder because of cultural influences and through their ethnic groups. The interesting history behind the Native American’s alcohol problem began when the European settlers and traders introduced them to it. The Europeans would manipulate the Native Americans by trading them alcohol for their goods. They even used it to relax the Native Americans so that they could get a better trade out of them for their goods. On the other hand, in the 19th century in the lower Colombia River Basin, the Hudson Bay Company and the Pacific Indians had issues regarding alcohol. The Indians were against drinking and getting drunk. They resisted the incentives of alcohol in the beginning as they lost respect for white men who did. The Indians would get angry when a chief’s son was optimistic about getting drunk. During that time period, drinking was something the Indians were not affiliated with. However, 20 years later Indians sustain a stereotype as people who can’t handle alcohol. It is obvious that this new and dangerous substance had a huge influence on the Native American culture. Native American’s economy ruined and culture collapsed because of the numerous deaths from drinking. Almost 12 percent of Native American deaths are alcohol related, and that is more than three times the percentage in the general population. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found 11.7 percent of Native Americans and Alaska Native deaths were alcohol related between 2001 and 2005. That statistic jumps out since it compares to 3.3 percent for the US as a whole. There should be a “call in action” because alcohol is abused on a daily basis on Indian reservations and many of them are not educated about the importance of their health. According to The Associated Press, traffic accidents and alcohol liver disease are the two leading causes of alcohol-related deaths among Indians. There were sadly 1,514 alcohol-related deaths over the four year period. The Northern Plains Tribe is known for their greatest number of alcohol-related deaths. The tribe is responsible for a third of the total Native American deaths. I believe the main reason alcohol is abused in this tribe is because of its isolated and poor reservation. Their environment determines whether someone will be given alcohol at an early age or not. Cultural influences play a massive role in this issue because children grow up seeing their parents do it day after day. 66 of the members who died from alcohol are younger than 50, and 68 percent of the Indians were also men. Shockingly seven percent were less than 20 years old. In order to reduce these heartrending deaths, someone must step up in the Native American community and start a program for their own people so they can treat alcoholism. Native Americans have had tribulations with society around them for a long time. This created disagreement and depression and low self-esteem. If a person has depression and a low self-esteem, then they will turn to other alternatives for support. Well in this situation, the Native Americans turned to alcohol as a safe haven for them to cope. Although, it is not the right thing to do as a community that is why it is important to educate, prevent poverty, help the unemployed, and stop alcoholism. Creating alcoholism programs will generate prevention techniques and educate everyone about their heritage so they will take pride in their culture and not turn to alcohol when times get tough.

Webliography  "1 in 10 Native American Deaths Alcohol Related - Health - Addictions - Msnbc.com." //Msnbc.com - Breaking News, Science and Tech News, World News, US News, Local News- Msnbc.com//. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. . This article talks about the alcohol related deaths in the Native American community. It also discusses how the Northern Plain tribe has the greatest number of alcohol related deaths.

"Why Are so Many Indians Alcoholics?" //The Stanton Peele Addiction Website//. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. . This article is about a discussion based on the Pacific Indians and prohibition. It explains how Indians never got drunk but that quickly changed overtime and now it is a huge problem in their environment.   Winkel, Bethany. "Alcoholism among Native Americans." //Recover From Drug and Alcohol Addiction @ Treatment Solutions Network//. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. . This section is about alcoholism among Native Americans. The author breaks down the genetic aspect of alcoholism, and culture. She also gives advice on how to treat the disorder.   Heller, James. "Native Americans and Alcohol." //Tarzana Treatment Centers - Integrated Behavioral Healthcare//. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. <http://www.tarzanatc.org/blogengine/category/Native-Americans-and-Alcohol.aspx>. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">James Heller talks about the importance of Tarzana Treatment Centers. They are treatment places in the Native Americans communities for their help against their alcohol disorder.

<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Martin, Barbara, and Elizama Montalvo. "Alcoholism and Diabetes." //Tripod | Error//. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. <http://vltakaliseji.tripod.com/Vtlakaliseji/id20.html>. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This piece of writing is based on Alcoholism in Native Americans and how it is related to an allergic response. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The two authors talk about how the food the Europeans brought to the Indians was grains, and wheat. Those were the foods the Indians were allergic to and they caused rough symptoms for them to live with. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Moore, Gay. "Native American Alcoholism -- Myths, Reality & Solutions." //AMERICAN DIVERSITY REPORT//. July-Aug. 2010. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. <http://www.americandiversityreport.com/index.php?option=com_content>. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">`This website explains how alcohol is a serious issue, According to the Indian health Services. Indians rate of alcoholism is dramatically six times the U.S. average. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> "Childhood Abuse Related to Alcoholism in Native Americans." //Alcoholism - The Alcoholism Home Page//. 2 Oct. 2005. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/abuse/a/blcah030917.htm>. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">New research on seven Native American tribes explains how childhood differences have a big influence on alcohol in their future. Children who were abused are more likely to have alcoholic problems. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> This website is summarized by an Indian himself by the name of Thomas Ivan Dahlheimer. His plan is to<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> stop the alcohol epidemic in Native Americans community and create a movement to change the name of the Minnesota River to the Rum River. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> "Alcohol Abuse in Native Communities." //Alcohol Information | Drinking Alcohol | Alcohol Awareness | Information on Alcohol//. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.alcohol-information.com/Alcohol_Abuse_in_Native_Communities.html>. This article talks about the Cherokee Tribe of Oklahoma and how their youth is one-third of their population. Also, the youth is experiencing and abusing weed, alcohol, and cocaine. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"New Documentary Puts the Spotlight on Native American Runners." //Running Shoes, Marathon Training, Running Tips & Nutrition – Competitor.com//. 13 Apr. 2011. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://running.competitor.com/2011/04/news/new-documentary-puts-the-spotlight-on-native-american-runners_25051>. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This piece of writing is about a young Native American distant runner who they are making a documentary about. There is a section that talks about their odds they face with alcoholism and violence growing up as a Native American.

Keene, Michael. "Alcoholism - An Unfortunate Consequence for Native Americans." //Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web//. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/alcoholism-an-unfortunate-consequence-for-native-americans.html>. This article reads that over 500 Native American tribe’s uses alcohol. It also talks about how Native Americans abuse alcohol more than any culturally diverse group. [] In this website, the author talks about the importance of rehab for Native Americans. The author explains how rehab can help alcoholism in their community and what happens during the process. "Fischer: Native Americans Are Mired In Poverty and Alcoholism Because They Refuse to Accept Christianity." //Right Wing Watch//. 8 Feb. 2011. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/fischer-native-americans-are-mired-poverty-and-alcoholism-because-they-refuse-accept-christi>. This website is a blog on how Native Americans are alcoholics because they won’t give in to becoming Christians. The author speaks very down about Indians and how they don’t deserve America land.

[] This article shows the statistics of alcoholism among ethnic groups in America. It shows Native Americans had the highest rate of alcoholism. "The Battle For Whiteclay» Blog Archive » Indian Country Alcohol Death Rate High." //The Battle For Whiteclay//. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://battleforwhiteclay.org/?p=971>. This commentary talks about the deaths due to alcoholism in Native American communities. It also spoke about banning the sales and possession of alcoholic beverages on certain Indian reservations. "PressTV - Quick Facts: Native Americans, Dreamcatchers No More." //Press TV//. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.presstv.ir/usdetail/165736.html>. The author of this piece talks about young Native American teens talking their own lives at early ages due to alcohol and drugs. The article also talks about how 1,000 live births are troubled with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Guedel, Greg. "The Law As A Weapon Against Alcoholism : Native American Legal Update." //Native American Legal Update : Native American Law : Foster Pepper Law Firm : Northwest, Seattle, Spokane, Portland Lawyer & Attorney//. 8 Mar. 2009. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.nativelegalupdate.com/2009/03/articles/the-law-as-a-weapon-against-alcoholism/>. Greg speaks about the Tulalip Tribe and how they tribe general is against alcoholism in their tribe. The tribe’s general is calling for a ban on all liquor sales on their Tulalip Indian Reservation. Salgado C. Ernie"Alcohol Abuse in Native Communities." //Alcohol Information | Drinking Alcohol | Alcohol Awareness | Information on Alcohol//. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.alcohol-information.com/Alcohol_Abuse_in_Native_Communities.html>. This unique article explains how a Tribe in Arizona informs a mother about Fetal Alcohol dangers. The Indian Health center created a program to help with FAS. "NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN KILLERS Drug Alcohol Abuse Methamphetamine Meth Speed Crank Crystal Glass Killers." //THE INDIAN REPORTER Web Site Top Source for News About the Native American Indian Community//. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.theindianreporter.com/blogs/ernie_salgado/indian_killers.html>. Ernie Salgado is a Native American who is trying to inform his ethnic group that alcohol and drugs is the leading killer of Native Americans. His goal is to educate the youth so they understand the importance of staying healthy. Volz, Matt. "American Indian Youth Problem | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online." //Mb.com.ph | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online//. 22 Mar. 2011. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/310936/american-indian-youth-problem>. Matt Volz speaks on the problems with Native American youths. He talks about the suicides and issues due to alcohol problems