Breaking the Cycle: How PTSD and Alcohol Use Affect AI/AN Communities – Unique Challenges and Higher Risks

A stressful incident or events can lead to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased Alcohol Use. While PTSD is commonly linked to military personnel who have experienced the trauma of war, vulnerable American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) groups can also be disproportionately affected. This study examined past-year Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and lifetime PTSD among AI/ANs and non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), as both PTSD and AUD disproportionately affect this population.

The fourth national study on alcohol abuse and alcoholism, the 2012–2013 U.S. Researchers examined the National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions III.

Based on race, the researchers calculated the probabilities of AUD in persons with and without PTSD.

Out of the 19,705 participants, 19,194 (10,639 women, 8,555 men) were NHW, and 511 (301 women, 210 men) were AI/AN.

Addressing the Crisis: Alcohol Use and PTSD in AI/AN Communities

The researchers discovered that both Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were more prevalent in American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) populations compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). This higher prevalence indicates that AI/ANs face more significant mental health challenges than their NHW counterparts. The study found a substantial correlation between PTSD and AUD in both groups, but this correlation was notably stronger in AI/ANs.

For AI/AN men, the rates of PTSD and AUD were over three times higher than those observed in NHW men. Specifically, PTSD and AUD affected 9.5% of AI/AN men, compared to just 3.1% of NHW men. To address this disparity, the authors proposed implementing PTSD screening and interventions within tribal government programs and AI/AN health facilities.

The study highlighted the need for tailored mental health services to address the unique challenges faced by AI/AN communities. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of researching trauma resulting from cultural losses and its long-term impacts on AI/ANs. Understanding the specific trauma experienced during childhood and adolescence in AI/AN populations is crucial for developing effective intervention strategies.

Continued research and targeted interventions are necessary to reduce the elevated risks of PTSD and AUD within AI/AN communities.