Alaska Native populations have experienced significant struggles with addictions to alcohol and other substances. The Alaska Native population's access to treatment services is riddled with problems. This quantitative study served the purpose of identifying factors that lead to the prediction of successful treatment discharges among Alaska Native clients who received treatment for substance abuse at a treatment center in Alaska. Based on the theoretical framework of Marlatt's relapse prevention theory, using archival data, as well as a cross-sectional, quantitative research design, predictive variables of the efficacy of substance use treatment among outpatient clients (N = 278) were examined. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess whether adverse experiences, depression levels, social support, substance abuse, and sociocultural variables such as ethnicity, age, gender, mandatory/voluntary treatment enrollment predicted successful discharge in outpatient treatment. Results indicated that only gender was significantly connected to treatment outcomes. Women were more likely than men to successfully complete the treatment program. Several limitations could explain these results including the use of instruments that were not empirically validated, the use of self-report measures, and the quality of the assessment process. Results of this study could be used to focus on understanding and developing specific treatment modalities for men with substance abuse problems. Future studies should use empirically validated measures and a precise program of research.

In the United States, post European-colonial influence and exposure to substances such as alcohol historically mark the beginning of substance use exposure and involvement among all American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people. Research findings indicate there are strong interrelationships between the origin and prevalence of substance use and U.S.-European colonization, historical trauma, forced assimilation, cultural losses, and relocation among urban AI/AN people (Burt, 1986; Clinton, Chadwick, & Bahr, 1975; Yuan et al., 2010). In an historical sense, the unsuccessful attempts of relocating AI/AN people to urban areas place the future generations of urban AI/AN youth at risk for substance use, health conditions, and health disparities. Nationally, incident rates of substance use among urban AI/AN populations ages 12 and over is rising steadily, two to three folds higher than other ethnicities in urban areas within states such as Florida. The overall objective of this study is to culturally tailor the evidence-based Lowe (2013) Cherokee Talking Circle Intervention for substance use prevention among Cherokee adolescents to that of an Urban Taking Circle Intervention for use among urban AI/AN adolescents in Florida. Therefore, the feasibility of culturally tailoring this substance use intervention among a southeastern urban AI/AN youth was examined and presented within this dissertation. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection