The Effects Of Alcohol Related Deaths On Aboriginal People 's Health

The impact of various kinds of substances to cultural groups has historically been precipitated by the significance of particular substances on different cultural groups (Moore, 2010).This is mainly because the long term usage of these substances leads to the integration of the consumption of the substance into the cultural patterns of the given group. One such group that has been affected by the extensive usage of a particular substance is the Native American community. According to the Associated Press (2014, August 28), as noted on the MSNBC website, out of ten deaths among the Native American population, one is Alcohol related. Additionally, the prevalence of Alcohol consumption among the Native American population relates to

These days there are a number of social issues in the community, such as drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is rampant in today’s society, Australian Drug Foundation states that, “Alcohol is the most widely used psychoactive, or mood-changing, recreational drug in Australia.”(Healey, 2002, p. 11). Underage drinking and binge drinking are some of the problems associated with alcohol abuse.

Indigenous Australians make up 2.6% of Australia's population; however they experience health and social problems resulting from alcohol use at a rate disproportionate to non-Indigenous Australians.

Nichea Spillane argues that “Alcohol use among American Indians is perhaps the largest health concern in many American Indian communities” (8). Even with free medical clinics, known as Indian Health Services, many Native Americans who live in cities or have left their tribal lands find it difficult to receive the medical care that is needed. This could explain why, “Uninsured American Indians or Alaska Native Adults were more likely than uninsured adults in the general population to have binged on alcohol in the past month” (SAMHSA 6). Study after study show the disturbing effects of alcohol on the American Indians’ health. From minor health problems to alcohol-attributable deaths, to mental health and suicides, there is no way to document all the damage caused by excessive drinking. It is documented that “…excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of preventable death and years of lost life in this population. During 2001-2005, AmericanIndian/ AlaskaNatives were more than twice as likely to die from alcohol-related causes, compared with the U.S. general population (Naimi et al. 940).

Substance abuse among Indigenous Australia has a clear link to Incarceration because substance abuse is a contributing factor in family violence, child abuse and financial (Commonwealth of Australia, 2015). Other risks factors contributing to Incarceration is that Indigenous Australia have a high rates of poor health and mental health issues (Commonwealth of Australia, 2015). In addition, Indigenous Australian have a high rates of unemployment, poor education and inadequate housing which all have strong link to Incarceration (Wearherburn, 2014).

Good communication with the families may improve the impact of excessive drinking by family members. This can be done understanding how to best communicate with Aboriginal and/or Torres Straight Islanders. In the Aboriginal culture, silence is important and it is not uncomfortable to have pauses in conversations. Also ‘going around’ sensitive topics is more respectful and polite in the Aboriginal culture. Talking about their mother-in-law or sister is also a subject that is not considered polite to talk about, especially if their have any issues with their relationship. Also understanding that if an Elder is needed to deal with an issue, they must be treated with a high level of respect and dignity

As health professionals, we must look beyond individual attributes of Indigenous Australians to gain a greater understanding and a possible explanation of why there are such high rates of ill health issues such as alcoholism, depression, abuse, shorter life expectancy and higher prevalence of diseases including diabetes, heart disease and obesity in our indigenous population. Looking at just the individual aspects and the biomedical health model, we don’t get the context of Aboriginal health. This is why we need to explore in further detail what events could have created such inequities in Aboriginal health. Other details that we should consider are the historical and cultural factors such as, ‘terra nullius’, dispossession and social

The term alcoholism is a substance that is obtains through the mouth into the stomach, giving the individual a sudden feel of the alcohol. It’s an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or to the metal illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency. Within the Navajo nation reservation, I’d say, alcoholism is a very huge concern in the reservation. Alcohol is obtain and use by Navajo men and women to teenagers of boys and girls. It may be sold a remote area that is call bootleggers. It’s a very complicated drug to make our past and future generation understand it is not a good source. Prevention conferences do their best to talk to the community. Many with the single homes of other families have experience

Substance abuse is a topic most prefer not to discuss; it destroys lives, relationships and families all over the world. Native Americans seem to have suffered immensely by it. Since the coming of the Englishmen and the introduction of new knowledge and tools Native people have been trying to hold on to their own culture and their own way of life. Unfortunately with them came new items for consumption, alcohol was one of the main ingredients to the internal downfall of Native populations. Native American populations suffer greatly due to the ongoing epidemic of substance abuse and dependence; some things are being done about the problems people are having but in the end will it be enough to heal a nation? To open this paper I will look at

Alcohol abuse among Aboriginal youth is a prevalent issue in Canada. This widespread drug abuse stems from social, cultural, and biological factors. As there are many negative impacts that come with alcohol abuse, treatment options are necessary. When treating Aboriginal youth for alcohol abuse, it is necessary for practitioners to take cultural context into consideration to ensure sensitivity and success. It is important to understand alcohol abuse and why Aboriginal youth are an especially high risk demographic. This helps to identify effective ways to diminish alcohol abuse in the Aboriginal youth population through behavioural therapy, drug therapy, and therapeutic recreation programs.

Alcoholism is one of our nation’s largest social issues to date, and carries with it many negative aspects, the most dire being death at the hands of this disease. Alcohol and alcoholism have been part of societies for centuries. This habit was brought over to the new world when the first settlers landed on the shores of what was to become America. Furthermore, in bringing alcohol to this new land an entire nation of Native American Indians were introduced to a product that has affected them more negatively than any other to date, and continues to suffer from today and probably well into the future.

The issue of substance abuse within Indigenous communities is a key contributor for their over-representation in the YJS. For instance, results from the 2002 NATSISS (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey) has indicated the likelihood of being charged for a criminal offence is 3 in 5 for high-risk alcohol users, in comparison to 1 in 4 for non-consumers (Weatherburn et al. 2006, p8). Moreover, the National Drug Strategy Household Survey has found that IY were more likely than NIY to have high-risk alcohol consumption (Juodo 2008, pp9-10). These findings provide a link for the higher rate of IY in the YJS and the government’s initiatives to implement punitive control on Indigenous communities regarding alcohol

Over the course of history, the state of Aboriginal health has deteriorated in a relation much similar to the culture’s struggle to survive in the ever-changing society. As a result, this state has changed from an ideal balance with nature during the days of their hunter-gatherer lifestyle, to the more disoriented form of endurance in order to cope with obligatory integration and open antagonism by other ‘modern’ communities (Grbich, 2004). This has led to an augmentation of the encumbrance of illness and death as well as diverse forms of morbidity that Aboriginal communities experience throughout their lives.

Alcohol consumption among Australians is common and mostly occurs in social situations, and as a result of peer pressure, but it can also be associated with religious and cultural participation.1 Alcohol consumption is mostly used for relaxation, mood alteration, intoxication, addiction, boredom, habit, or to overcome inhibitions, and as an escape or to forget sorrows.2 Groups most at risk of abuse are those with low socioeconomic status, in rural and remote locations, Indigenous peoples, certain sexual orientations, mental illness, and young people.3

Traditionally indigenous people of Australia led very physically active lives, before the adoption of drugs, alcohol and tobacco became a challenge; there is no longer any need for indigenous people to hunt for wild animals and to gather uncultivated plants. There has now been a change in indigenous people lifestyle in cities, rural and remote areas, due to the effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. Assessments are undertaken by train health worker at the Condobolin Aboriginal Health Service; there is also drug, alcohol and tobacco health promotion days for clients or groups who want a health assessments they can also provide a referral, for a drug, alcohol or tobacco relate problem; and can provide treatment or counselling within a supervised