Work

“It Changed Everything”: Challenges to Indigenous Recovery Practices Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: (1)The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing health inequities for Native American communities, intensifying the challenges faced in accessing addiction and recovery services. As part of a tribal-university collaborative effort in Arizona, our team explored the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental well-being and resilience among the Indigenous substance use recovery community. Methods: = 19) to understand the factors of resilience and mental well-being for providers of Western addiction treatment services and Indigenous community members who were in addiction recovery or engaged in addiction treatment during the pandemic. Results: (3)Four major themes that impacted mental well-being among the Indigenous recovery group during the pandemic were identified: (1) healthcare barriers; (2) culture in recovery; (3) the impact of colonization/historical trauma; and (4) the importance of relationships. Conclusions: (4)This work provides insight into the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indigenous communities and vulnerable populations such as the recovery community. Findings from this study highlight the need for Indigenous-grounded and culturally informed recovery interventions.

Source: Genealogy

DOI: 10.3390/genealogy9040105