Throughout many years, Native Americans have been plagued by many cultural, social, and economical problems. Labeled minorities by society, and having to oblige to the cowardly power of the white man, whom in which through war and politics, ethically, mentally and physically wore down Native Americans as people, Native Americans established an unbreakable bond between one another. Through sacred tribal ceremonies and rituals, all Native Americans came together to heal the pain felt from the then years and years of ethical embarrassment. Today however, that is not the case. The Native Americans who used to heal themselves through the sacred tribal ceremonies and rituals to heal the pain felt from years of ethical embarrassment have seem to have found another way to deal with their problem. This by resorting to a bottle, and beginning for themselves a self abuse, as people and individuals.
This by giving in to a chronic illness we like to call alcoholism. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism is a major problem to Native Americans today. According to a 1978 report from the Arizona Department of Health Services, “Native Americans have the highest rate proportionally of all ethnic groups of problems related to alcoholism.” 1 The different problems faced by Native Americans as individuals and as members of extended communities present great concern for all Native Americans. 2 In relation to their alcohol abuse, Native Americans have consistently been arrested at approximately “three times the Black rate and ten times the White rate.” 2 This according to age-adjusted figures for the years of 1950-1968. Most arrest are for minor offenses. In terms of drinking related offenses, the difference between the Native American rate and the general population rate are even greater – “about eight times the Black rate and over twenty times the white rate in the United States.” 3 In addition to being one of the ethnic groups who have the highest rates proportionally of problems related to alcoholism, and to being one of the ethnic groups who have one of the highest rates of arrest due to alcohol consumption, Native Americans also attribute to the ethnic groups who exhibit major health problems related to alcoholism.
The Term Paper on Native Americans 6
... rate. In spite of the stereotype of Native Americans alcoholism, there had been no research proving this to be fact. Other problems facing Native Americans ... to live. The Native Americans fought many battles and outnumbered the United States army for many years before defeated by ... trying to convert the Native Americans to their ways. Whites were the minority for several years, yet they still tried ...
Problems such as liver and kidney dysfunction’s, heart disease and other disorders are some of the main ones being exhibited. Additionally, mental problems such as though of suicide, and physical abuse of family members is also seen due to the Native Americans alcohol consumption. Through time, Native Americans have found ways to overcome there alcoholic addictions. This through treatments such as detoxification, counseling, psychological support, nursing, and medical care.
Though some Native Americans still have trouble coming clean of their alcoholic addiction through some of these treatments, the reality of having a clean sprit, and the will to overcome their addiction to alcohol allows them to prevail over their addiction and to heal to proceed with life.
