Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112438

Jenny Chong, PhD and Darlene Lopez, MS. Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 1145 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85721, 520 318 7270 x17, jchong@u.arizona.edu

Major obstacles to recovery for Native American women in substance abuse treatment were reported to be unsupportive partners and returning to a community where substance abuse is widespread (Brindis et al., 1995). Individuals with social networks that encourage abstinence are less likely to relapse (Beattie & Longabaugh, 1991). This is an important consideration for Native Americans since they tend to rely on extended family networks for social support (MacPhee, Fritz, & Miller-Heyl, 1996). In this presentation, we describe the relationship of female Native American clients in substance abuse treatment with their family and friends and the differences in outcomes based on those relationships. Treatment outcomes are measured at 6 and 12 months after discharge from a 45 day substance abuse residential treatment program.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to

• Describe the types of relationships Native American women completing substance abuse treatment have with their family and friends.
• Describe the impact of relationships with family and friends on substance abuse treatment outcome among Native American women.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.