Native Americans have shorter life spans, and it’s not just due to lack of health care

The Global Burden of Disease Study underscores the sobering reality that alcohol consumption is a major contributor to premature mortality worldwide. These findings underscore the importance of considering individual health profiles and consumption patterns when evaluating the effects of alcohol on longevity. United States’ death rates for alcohol, drugs, and firearms have far exceeded other OECD countries.

Two of the men were Elders (men with traditional knowledge, status, and respect in the community) and the remaining seven had varying levels of formal education and cultural knowledge. According to the CDC data, in 2021, the male life expectancy for 70 year olds in the US was 13.7 years. The Non-Hispanic Asian ethnicity group had the highest male life expectancy (16.7 years), followed by the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity group (14.4 years), and the Non-Hispanic White ethnicity group (13.7). Another study published in Molecular Psychiatry has explored the concept of “genetic nurture,” which refers to the indirect pathways by which parental genetic traits can influence offspring outcomes, including alcohol use behaviors. This suggests that the environment provided by parents, shaped in part by their genetic predispositions, can mediate the risk of alcohol problems in their children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the numerous ways in which excessive alcohol use can detrimentally affect overall health and well-being.

Other analysts have attributed the various rates to different socioeconomic conditions of reservations (Liban and Smart 1982; Silk-Walker et al. 1988; Austin et al. 1993). Hisnanick (1992) estimated the prevalence of alcohol abuse and alcoholism among American Indians using the number of patients discharged with an alcohol-related diagnosis from Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals over an 8-year period. He found that northern reservations generally had much higher rates of such diagnoses (the highest rate was 111 per 1,000 population) than the southern reservations (the lowest rate was 11 per 1,000).

Native Americans and Alcohol Addiction

• In a separate research study, it was found that those individuals who reported drinking excessive amounts had shorter life expectancies at age 40 of approximately 4 to 5 years.
• The following sections describe some of those factors, including genetics, social and cultural influences, and personal attitudes toward alcohol.
• This all adds up to Native Americans having the lowest life expectancy of all racial or ethnic groups at 71.8 years, compared to 78.8 years for non-Hispanic whites.
• Addressing co-occurring conditions may involve various treatment approaches, including therapy, medication, and holistic interventions.
• While there is no consensus on the cause of alcohol abuse in this community, several factors have been proposed, including economic issues, cultural loss, and mental health challenges.

Census Bureau from 1999–2017 to generate period life tables and decompose racial gaps in life expectancy. Native American-White life expectancy gaps narrowed between 2001 and 2012 but widened thereafter, reaching 4.92 years among males and 2.06 years among females in 2015. The life expectancy disadvantage among Native American males was primarily attributable to motor vehicle accidents (0.96 years), liver disease (1.22 years), and diabetes (0.78 years). These causes of deaths were also primary contributors to the gap among females, forming three successive waves of mortality that occurred in young adulthood, midlife, and late adulthood, respectively, among Native American males and females. Interventions to reduce motor vehicle accidents in early adulthood, alcohol-related mortality in midlife, and diabetes complications at older ages could reduce Native American-White longevity disparities in the Four Corners states.

The Recovery Village Ridgefield

The Pine Ridge Reservation was established in 1889, encompasses 2.1 million acres of southwest South Dakota, and is located near Rapid City, South Dakota and Badlands National Park (Strickland). Roughly 18,000 people live on the reservation with the majority of residents identifying as part of the Oglala Lakota Native American tribe who consider the Black Hills of South Dakota their ancestral lands (Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Facts | Re-Member). People living on Pine Ridge have some of the worst health and are among America’s poorest with a per capita income of $8,768. Life expectancy on the reservation is the lowest in the entire U.S. why do alcoholics live so long with women having a life expectancy of 52 years and men having a life expectancy of 48 years (Shift). 89% of people on the reservation are unemployed, and a reported 53.75% live in poverty, and some estimate the poverty rate to exceed 80% (Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Facts | Re-Member).

Addiction Treatment

While the mode of transmission of this increased risk is unclear, most investigators favor a model where a genetic predisposition interacts with environmental variables to produce an overall risk for the disorder. At Compassion Behavioral Health, we understand the intricate and deeply rooted challenges faced by Native American communities with alcohol addiction. Our approach to treatment and support is designed to be culturally sensitive, acknowledging the unique experiences and needs of each individual. Understanding the connection between Native Americans and alcohol addiction requires a comprehensive examination of historical, biological, socioeconomic, and cultural factors. By recognizing the complex nature of this issue, targeted interventions can be developed to address alcohol addiction within Native American communities, fostering healing, and promoting overall well-being. Furthermore, cultural revitalization efforts are gaining momentum within Native American communities.

With cultural understanding and sensitivity, The Recovery Village Ridgefield offers individualized care plans with evidence-based treatment models. Call to speak with a representative about how professional addiction treatment can address a substance use disorder, co-occurring disorders and more. Moreover, living in poverty puts one at an increased risk for mental health disorders, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Substance abuse problems such as alcoholism most likely develop in the face of these socioeconomic challenges in an attempt to cope with (or mask) stress. One key element of traditional healing methods is the emphasis on community and family involvement. Community ties tend to be stronger in collective societies, such as those of Native Americans, and this sense of community can play a vital role in the recovery process.

How long do alcoholics live? The bottom line

In a separate research study, it was found that those individuals who reported drinking excessive amounts had shorter life expectancies at age 40 of approximately 4 to 5 years. Approximately 20% of the alcohol-related survival difference was attributed to death from cardiovascular disease. Further exploration and analysis of the study results revealed that people who drank beer or spirits, as well as binge drinkers, had the highest risk for mortality from all causes. Cessation of alcohol consumption and sustained sobriety can lead to improvements in health and potentially extend life expectancy for individuals with alcoholism. The human body possesses a capacity for healing and regeneration once alcohol is removed from the system.

How did social structures and community support influence health and longevity?

Native Americans have endured a history of colonisation, dispossession, and cultural loss, which has resulted in intergenerational trauma. This trauma includes experiences of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as exposure to domestic violence and substance misuse within families. Treating historical trauma in conjunction with alcohol use disorder is crucial for effective recovery.

In 2019, the rate for tuberculosis was seven times higher for AI/AN individuals, and heart disease was the leading cause of death. This all adds up to Native Americans having the lowest life expectancy of all racial or ethnic groups at 71.8 years, compared to 78.8 years for non-Hispanic whites. Trauma-based therapies have been developed to address the underlying issues contributing to substance misuse and addiction. These therapies focus on behavioural health and aim to be culturally appropriate and responsive to the specific needs of Native American communities. By understanding and addressing the cultural and historical factors contributing to alcohol misuse, more effective prevention and treatment strategies can be implemented to support Native American men in their journey towards recovery and cultural drug addiction treatment healing.

The liver is responsible for cleansing the blood of alcohol, so in about 30-40% of cases, the cause of death of an alcoholic is due to liver disease. The second most popular causes are related to cardiovascular diseases, the third – to oncology. If you have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, it is recommended that you abstain from drinking altogether. Moderate drinking can still have negative effects on your health and well-being and can lead to a relapse into problem drinking. By seeking treatment and support, making positive lifestyle changes, and addressing co-occurring conditions, individuals with AUD can take important steps towards improving their life expectancy. It’s important to remember that every person’s journey is unique, and finding the right combination of strategies and resources that https://tobeorg.com/managing-alcohol-withdrawal-insomnia-8-tips-for-a/ work for them is crucial for long-term success and well-being.

From college parties to weddings; it is popular and a part of a lot of social activities. Like Indians, they were viewed as culturally and mentally inferior to Anglo-Americans, and their alcohol consumption was intentionally limited. One review of 107 studies found evidence that heavier drinking negatively impacts longevity. Heavy drinking was defined as more than 24 grams of ethanol (the equivalent of two Canadian standard drinks) daily for women and more than 44 grams of ethanol daily for men. At Diamond House Detox, we offer alcohol addiction holistic treatment services to aid you in recovery.