Native American Addiction Treatment & Recovery Services

Native American communities experience some of the highest rates of substance use disorders in the U.S., often due to a complex mix of historical trauma, health disparities, and limited access to culturally informed care.

Our Native American addiction treatment programs provide evidence-based medical care alongside traditional healing practices, creating a holistic path to recovery that respects culture, values, and community connections.

Understanding Addiction in Native American Communities

Addiction among Native Americans is deeply connected to both present-day challenges and historical factors, such as:

• Intergenerational trauma and loss of cultural identity
• Poverty, unemployment, and limited healthcare access
• Discrimination and social isolation

Culturally sensitive rehab programs acknowledge these realities and incorporate traditional healing alongside proven treatment methods to address the root causes of addiction.

Medical Detox and Withdrawal Support

The first step for many is medical detox, which helps safely remove drugs or alcohol from the body while managing withdrawal symptoms. Our detox programs offer:

• 24/7 medical supervision to ensure safety
• Medications for symptom relief when appropriate
• Supportive care to maintain hydration, nutrition, and rest

Completing detox sets the foundation for effective inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Inpatient Addiction Treatment for Native Americans

Residential treatment offers a structured, healing environment away from daily triggers. These programs may include:

• Individual and group therapy rooted in both modern psychology and Native traditions
• Cultural integration such as talking circles, sweat lodges, and storytelling (when available)
• Life skills training for long-term independence
• Holistic therapies including mindfulness, art, and nature-based healing

Length of stay varies based on individual needs, with many programs lasting 30–90 days.

Outpatient Recovery Programs

For those who cannot leave home or who have completed inpatient care, outpatient rehab for Native Americans offers flexibility while maintaining structured support:

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) for full-day treatment
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for several sessions a week
• Standard outpatient therapy for long-term maintenance

Outpatient care works well for clients with work, school, or family responsibilities, especially in rural or tribal areas.

Therapy and Counseling

Healing from addiction involves addressing mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Treatment options can include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to change harmful thought patterns
• Trauma-informed therapy for processing past harm
• Group therapy for peer support
• Family counseling to strengthen home relationships

Many Native American rehab programs combine these therapies with cultural practices to deepen the healing process.

Long-Term Recovery & Aftercare

Ongoing support is essential for lasting recovery. Native American recovery services may include:

• Alumni networks for community support
• Sober living homes in a structured environment
• Relapse prevention strategies tailored to each individual
• Tribal wellness resources and peer mentorship programs

A Respectful, Culturally Grounded Approach to Healing

The best addiction treatment for Native Americans blends medical expertise with respect for cultural heritage. Recovery is not just about stopping substance use—it’s about restoring balance, health, and connection to one’s community.

If you or a loved one is struggling, help is available. Native American addiction recovery programs can provide the care, understanding, and cultural respect you deserve.

In addition to private addiction treatment programs, there are also federally provided treatment options that can help you to get connected to the resources you need.

Resources That are Available to Indigenous Peoples

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) through Indian Health Services. ASAP is intended to reduce the prevalence of substance use disorders and their consequences but establishing alcohol and substance abuse programs in tribal communities. These programs include emergency treatment, inpatient, and outpatient treatment.

Indian Health Services also uses an evidence-based practice called Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) that also aims to reduce and prevent addiction. 

Screening refers to health care professionals assessing at-risk individuals who have exhibited risky substance use behavior. Brief intervention includes a meeting with a health care professional to give feedback and recommendations. Referral to treatment includes a referral by a health care professional therapy or treatment resources if screening suggests it would be necessary. This may help you connect to the treatment services you need to avoid or overcome severe substance use issues.

You may also be able to find addiction treatment resources through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The offer educational resources on alcohol and drug use, mental health, and suicide prevention. They also can direct you to resources that can help treat opioid use disorders.

Federal options are excellent for people with limited resources; however, accredited private addiction treatment programs often offer the most comprehensive programs.

Finding the Right Treatment for Your Needs

Finding an addiction treatment program that is effective and right for your needs is an important step on your road to recovery. Seeking out treatment centers with the proper credentials such as current certifications and board-approved medical and clinical professionals is vital. 

It’s also important for a treatment center to offer an evidence-based approach, using therapies that have been scientifically tested. Working to personalize your treatment plan matters as well. No two people are the same when it comes to their substance use problems and their underlying issues. 

Effective treatment can address multiple needs including medical, psychological, social, legal, and financial issues that might threaten long-term sobriety.

Your treatment plan should also be modified each week as you work through issues and new ones become apparent. Finally, treatment centers should recognize addiction as a chronic disease rather than a bad habit or a moral failing. As a chronic disease, it can be effectively treated, leading to long-term sobriety.

How the Addiction Treatment Process Works

Addiction treatment is a process that involves treating the medical, psychological, and social impacts of the disease. Effective treatment is tailored to the individual needs of a person, and there are no one-size-fits-all treatment plans. When you first enter a treatment program, you’ll go through an intake process that’s designed to pinpoint your specific needs and your appropriate level of care. 

If you have high-level medical or psychological needs, you may go through a high level of care. Medical detox is common for people who enter treatment after recently stopping drug use or while still intoxicated. Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and even potentially deadly without medical attention. For that reason, medical detox will primarily focus on immediate medical needs. 

However, medical detox programs have clinicians on staff to help you when needed. After detox, those clinicians will help you find the next level of care for your needs. If you still have pressing medical or psychological needs, you may go through an inpatient treatment or residential program that involves 24-hour medical monitoring or clinical care. As you progress in treatment, you may continue to an outpatient treatment program.

Intensive outpatient treatment can involve 12 hours of treatment each day to just over nine hours per week. This level of care is ideal for people who are ready for more independence but still need daily treatment and therapies. 

After intensive outpatient treatment, you can move to a standard outpatient program that involves fewer than nine hours of treatment services each week. Outpatient treatment serves as a transitional level of care between higher levels and complete independence. You will begin to encounter the real-life challenges of life in recovery, but you will have therapies each week where you can process them.

Throughout treatment, you will go through a treatment plan that is designed around your specific needs. Your plan may have a variety of therapies and treatment options that are intended to address your substance use disorder and any underlying issues. You may attend individual, group, and family therapy to work through psychological and social issues.

From detox to your last day of outpatient, addiction treatment can last for several months. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that research has shown the ideal minimum time in treatment would be 90 days. However, medication-assisted treatment can last as long as a year.

Seeking Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one may be struggling with a substance use disorder, and you would like to learn more about addiction treatment, there is help available right now. Speak to an addiction treatment specialist at Serenity at Summit to learn more about your treatment options.