Native American Influences in Drug Rehab Centers

Native American Influences in Drug Rehab Centers

Published June 2011

Many people seeking drug or alcohol treatment find themselves unwilling to subscribe to the disease concept of addiction and to want something more than just the typical, conventional 12-step programs.

Many non-12 steps and holistic treatment centers fill this void and offer unconventional treatment practices that incorporate and respect all cultures, religions, and backgrounds.  This kind of treatment facility often focuses on a combination of culture, spirituality, tradition, and healing.

Native American culture is vibrant and complex. Many Native Americans wish to attend a treatment center that will allow them to focus on their Native American spirituality, beliefs, culture, and practice.  Native American rehabilitation programs are available; these programs are not exclusive to Native Americans. However, most clients who attend have a cultural background of Native American tradition.

These treatment facilities often involve a combination of individual therapy, cultural understanding, traditional ceremony, and group therapy. There are also rehab programs focusing on Native American elements but are not solely Native American.

At Passages Malibu, we consider ourselves to be one of these types of treatment centers. We incorporate all forms of spirituality and cultural backgrounds into our program and design a treatment plan designed for each individual’s particular needs.