Alcohol Treatment Helps Native Americans Regain Control of Lives

An aggressive alcohol treatment program in Montana is having a positive effect on Native Americans struggling with alcohol addiction, according to a story in the Billings Gazette. Funded by a $5.6 million grant, the Rocky Mountain Tribal Access to Recovery program has helped more than 1,400 Native Americans with alcohol rehab within its first two years of existence.

Alcoholism is a continual problem in the Native American community, but many people who are dealing with drinking problems are reluctant to enter rehab centers in major cities. The Access to Recovery program is designed to give Native Americans a place to get alcohol treatment that is tailored to the specific needs of their community.

“There’s all this research that people’s prognosis for getting better from a substance abuse problem, it makes a tremendous difference whether they get recovery support,” said Kathy Masis, project director. “There’s more to getting over substance abuse than just treatment.”