Native Americans and alcohol
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Native Americans and alcohol
For aslong as I can remember I have been fascinated by native american culture. I always read about their way of life and felt they were way more 'sane' than the culture I lived in was.
Obviously they mainly had to succumb to our way of life or sadly perish.
Anyways I was just wondering if anyone could inform me of what native American community is like in America now. Also I often hear that they renowned for alcohol problems, can anyone enlighten me on the matter please? Sorry if this is irrelevant to the purpose of the forum.
Obviously they mainly had to succumb to our way of life or sadly perish.
Anyways I was just wondering if anyone could inform me of what native American community is like in America now. Also I often hear that they renowned for alcohol problems, can anyone enlighten me on the matter please? Sorry if this is irrelevant to the purpose of the forum.
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Well think of it like this, Natives always are in-tuned "attuned" to their environment.
Massively interconnected to things going on around them.
When you take this away they want to blot out the effects of this because its unable for them to imagine it could happen.
They are overly sensitive people to their surroundings attuned to it for thousands of years.
Take this away put them on a reservation and they become extremely distressed.
So they turn to the cheapest easiest methods of medicating themselves for this PTSD.
Massively interconnected to things going on around them.
When you take this away they want to blot out the effects of this because its unable for them to imagine it could happen.
They are overly sensitive people to their surroundings attuned to it for thousands of years.
Take this away put them on a reservation and they become extremely distressed.
So they turn to the cheapest easiest methods of medicating themselves for this PTSD.
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I hope we have some native Americans who can speak to this.
I live in Idaho where there are reservations for the Shoshone-Bannock tribes. I can't speak to whether or not today's natives are any more 'in-tune' with their environment than I am. I do know that if someone stole my house, killed most everyone I know and love and forced me onto less than desirable land I'd probably be pretty depressed.
We (white 'American's' of European decent) waged a genocidal war on the natives. We also destroyed their major food source, the buffalo, almost to the point of extinction. Then repopulated the land with cattle which is horrible for the environment...and horrible for us. Smart. I also believe that liquor was made readily available on reservation to 'appease' the people.
I have been in treatment twice, in Idaho and in Utah. Both times with several people from reservations. 'Res life' is rough for many and yes drugs and alcohol are plentiful. Not unlike many inner city neighborhoods that are fueled and ruled by drug lords and gangs. Keep em addicted, keep em passive.
Just my very limited view point. Its an awful scare on American history. There are many. And the wars go on and on.....
I live in Idaho where there are reservations for the Shoshone-Bannock tribes. I can't speak to whether or not today's natives are any more 'in-tune' with their environment than I am. I do know that if someone stole my house, killed most everyone I know and love and forced me onto less than desirable land I'd probably be pretty depressed.
We (white 'American's' of European decent) waged a genocidal war on the natives. We also destroyed their major food source, the buffalo, almost to the point of extinction. Then repopulated the land with cattle which is horrible for the environment...and horrible for us. Smart. I also believe that liquor was made readily available on reservation to 'appease' the people.
I have been in treatment twice, in Idaho and in Utah. Both times with several people from reservations. 'Res life' is rough for many and yes drugs and alcohol are plentiful. Not unlike many inner city neighborhoods that are fueled and ruled by drug lords and gangs. Keep em addicted, keep em passive.
Just my very limited view point. Its an awful scare on American history. There are many. And the wars go on and on.....
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Great topic.
I'm native American. I don't live on my tribal grounds because it is over populated with drugs, violence and ghettos.
There are some good parts, resorts and a casino for those who wish to work and not just live off government assistance, which is pennies. The addiction on my reservation is bad. When I go there I am called a "gringo" because I'm half white and they can tell by how I dress I don't belong. I donate a lot to them, I set up meets to collect items to donate to my people, it saddens me to see the children there living the way they live.
Children are raped, drug dealers and guns are everywhere.
On the flip side
Mystic Lake reservation : they are millionaires, they get 1 million roughly when they turn 18. The drugs at that reservation are just as bad as my poor reservation.
When you are 18 and get that kind of money, no need to work what else do you do? Drugs.
Don't get me wrong there are also a lot of good people on this reservation who are making a life for themselves, college, multiple homes on and off the reservation, good families. Etc....
It is so sad to see the substance abuse anywhere, but I personally take it to heart when it's my reservation.
I believe the Natives were doing very well until the white man came here, we didn't have alcohol like the white man, so I believe the Natives were not given the proper gene and enzymes to break down alcohol as well and we were introduced to it much later in life so that is why I believe a lot of native Americans are alcoholic that and I feel a lot of them can't get out of the past of their land being taken and the government screwing them over, so a little oppression mind set...
I'm native American. I don't live on my tribal grounds because it is over populated with drugs, violence and ghettos.
There are some good parts, resorts and a casino for those who wish to work and not just live off government assistance, which is pennies. The addiction on my reservation is bad. When I go there I am called a "gringo" because I'm half white and they can tell by how I dress I don't belong. I donate a lot to them, I set up meets to collect items to donate to my people, it saddens me to see the children there living the way they live.
Children are raped, drug dealers and guns are everywhere.
On the flip side
Mystic Lake reservation : they are millionaires, they get 1 million roughly when they turn 18. The drugs at that reservation are just as bad as my poor reservation.
When you are 18 and get that kind of money, no need to work what else do you do? Drugs.
Don't get me wrong there are also a lot of good people on this reservation who are making a life for themselves, college, multiple homes on and off the reservation, good families. Etc....
It is so sad to see the substance abuse anywhere, but I personally take it to heart when it's my reservation.
I believe the Natives were doing very well until the white man came here, we didn't have alcohol like the white man, so I believe the Natives were not given the proper gene and enzymes to break down alcohol as well and we were introduced to it much later in life so that is why I believe a lot of native Americans are alcoholic that and I feel a lot of them can't get out of the past of their land being taken and the government screwing them over, so a little oppression mind set...
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Originally Posted by DreamCatcher17 
Great topic.
I'm native American. I don't live on my tribal grounds because it is over populated with drugs, violence and ghettos.
There are some good parts, resorts and a casino for those who wish to work and not just live off government assistance, which is pennies. The addiction on my reservation is bad. When I go there I am called a "gringo" because I'm half white and they can tell by how I dress I don't belong. I donate a lot to them, I set up meets to collect items to donate to my people, it saddens me to see the children there living the way they live.
Children are raped, drug dealers and guns are everywhere.
On the flip side
Mystic Lake reservation : they are millionaires, they get 1 million roughly when they turn 18. The drugs at that reservation are just as bad as my poor reservation.
When you are 18 and get that kind of money, no need to work what else do you do? Drugs.
Don't get me wrong there are also a lot of good people on this reservation who are making a life for themselves, college, multiple homes on and off the reservation, good families. Etc....
It is so sad to see the substance abuse anywhere, but I personally take it to heart when it's my reservation.
I believe the Natives were doing very well until the white man came here, we didn't have alcohol like the white man, so I believe the Natives were not given the proper gene and enzymes to break down alcohol as well and we were introduced to it much later in life so that is why I believe a lot of native Americans are alcoholic that and I feel a lot of them can't get out of the past of their land being taken and the government screwing them over, so a little oppression mind set...
I'm native American. I don't live on my tribal grounds because it is over populated with drugs, violence and ghettos.
There are some good parts, resorts and a casino for those who wish to work and not just live off government assistance, which is pennies. The addiction on my reservation is bad. When I go there I am called a "gringo" because I'm half white and they can tell by how I dress I don't belong. I donate a lot to them, I set up meets to collect items to donate to my people, it saddens me to see the children there living the way they live.
Children are raped, drug dealers and guns are everywhere.
On the flip side
Mystic Lake reservation : they are millionaires, they get 1 million roughly when they turn 18. The drugs at that reservation are just as bad as my poor reservation.
When you are 18 and get that kind of money, no need to work what else do you do? Drugs.
Don't get me wrong there are also a lot of good people on this reservation who are making a life for themselves, college, multiple homes on and off the reservation, good families. Etc....
It is so sad to see the substance abuse anywhere, but I personally take it to heart when it's my reservation.
I believe the Natives were doing very well until the white man came here, we didn't have alcohol like the white man, so I believe the Natives were not given the proper gene and enzymes to break down alcohol as well and we were introduced to it much later in life so that is why I believe a lot of native Americans are alcoholic that and I feel a lot of them can't get out of the past of their land being taken and the government screwing them over, so a little oppression mind set...
It is much more than genes and enzymes if that is all it was it would be an easy fix.
The stress to human brain development takes place at conception, everything that goes on with the mother impacts the unborn child.
Then there is the 2 years of brain development after the womb.
Then there is childhood, then adolescence.
All these leading up to a developed brain by 20-22.
It is much much more than just biology.
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Originally Posted by Cappy76
I am part Australian Aboriginal, my Maternal Grandfathers mother was part Aboriginal. Although you wouldn't see it in me.
It is much more than genes and enzymes if that is all it was it would be an easy fix.
The stress to human brain development takes place at conception, everything that goes on with the mother impacts the unborn child.
Then there is the 2 years of brain development after the womb.
Then there is childhood, then adolescence.
All these leading up to a developed brain by 20-22.
It is much much more than just biology.
It is much more than genes and enzymes if that is all it was it would be an easy fix.
The stress to human brain development takes place at conception, everything that goes on with the mother impacts the unborn child.
Then there is the 2 years of brain development after the womb.
Then there is childhood, then adolescence.
All these leading up to a developed brain by 20-22.
It is much much more than just biology.
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Originally Posted by DreamCatcher17
I wasn't implying that's the only thing, however it is facts about the enzymes!
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Location: Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,468
My aunt works at our reservation, she is in the social services department. The stories she tells me are so sad, she is doing amazing things with the kids, trying to break the cycle of addiction that has been past down generation to generation.
There are a lot of people who give up on the kids there, like there is no hope for them. My aunt has actually now opened her home and is fostering some of these children in hopes for a better life for them.
I have family members there who are also addicts, lost their children due to addiction but they are now in recovery.
In MN we have something called a rule 25, which is government assistance for people who can't afford treatment, the state will pay for it. So a lot of them do get treatment, but most of them go right back to it. Small communities, hard to leave for most.
In MN we have a lot of people coming here out of state because of the rule 25, we have very good treatment facilities here too. As we all know, you have to want to be sober no facility can fix the issue unless you want it.
Most people at the Reservation don't change because that's all they know, they fail to get out and pass it down.
What my aunt does is so inspiring, she too was an addict so I feel she can relate to these children and they feel comfortable with her. 1 child at a time, hopefully the cycle can be broken!!!
There are a lot of people who give up on the kids there, like there is no hope for them. My aunt has actually now opened her home and is fostering some of these children in hopes for a better life for them.
I have family members there who are also addicts, lost their children due to addiction but they are now in recovery.
In MN we have something called a rule 25, which is government assistance for people who can't afford treatment, the state will pay for it. So a lot of them do get treatment, but most of them go right back to it. Small communities, hard to leave for most.
In MN we have a lot of people coming here out of state because of the rule 25, we have very good treatment facilities here too. As we all know, you have to want to be sober no facility can fix the issue unless you want it.
Most people at the Reservation don't change because that's all they know, they fail to get out and pass it down.
What my aunt does is so inspiring, she too was an addict so I feel she can relate to these children and they feel comfortable with her. 1 child at a time, hopefully the cycle can be broken!!!
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Originally Posted by DreamCatcher17
Great topic.
I'm native American. I don't live on my tribal grounds because it is over populated with drugs, violence and ghettos.
There are some good parts, resorts and a casino for those who wish to work and not just live off government assistance, which is pennies. The addiction on my reservation is bad. When I go there I am called a "gringo" because I'm half white and they can tell by how I dress I don't belong. I donate a lot to them, I set up meets to collect items to donate to my people, it saddens me to see the children there living the way they live.
Children are raped, drug dealers and guns are everywhere.
On the flip side
Mystic Lake reservation : they are millionaires, they get 1 million roughly when they turn 18. The drugs at that reservation are just as bad as my poor reservation.
When you are 18 and get that kind of money, no need to work what else do you do? Drugs.
Don't get me wrong there are also a lot of good people on this reservation who are making a life for themselves, college, multiple homes on and off the reservation, good families. Etc....
It is so sad to see the substance abuse anywhere, but I personally take it to heart when it's my reservation.
I believe the Natives were doing very well until the white man came here, we didn't have alcohol like the white man, so I believe the Natives were not given the proper gene and enzymes to break down alcohol as well and we were introduced to it much later in life so that is why I believe a lot of native Americans are alcoholic that and I feel a lot of them can't get out of the past of their land being taken and the government screwing them over, so a little oppression mind set...
I'm native American. I don't live on my tribal grounds because it is over populated with drugs, violence and ghettos.
There are some good parts, resorts and a casino for those who wish to work and not just live off government assistance, which is pennies. The addiction on my reservation is bad. When I go there I am called a "gringo" because I'm half white and they can tell by how I dress I don't belong. I donate a lot to them, I set up meets to collect items to donate to my people, it saddens me to see the children there living the way they live.
Children are raped, drug dealers and guns are everywhere.
On the flip side
Mystic Lake reservation : they are millionaires, they get 1 million roughly when they turn 18. The drugs at that reservation are just as bad as my poor reservation.
When you are 18 and get that kind of money, no need to work what else do you do? Drugs.
Don't get me wrong there are also a lot of good people on this reservation who are making a life for themselves, college, multiple homes on and off the reservation, good families. Etc....
It is so sad to see the substance abuse anywhere, but I personally take it to heart when it's my reservation.
I believe the Natives were doing very well until the white man came here, we didn't have alcohol like the white man, so I believe the Natives were not given the proper gene and enzymes to break down alcohol as well and we were introduced to it much later in life so that is why I believe a lot of native Americans are alcoholic that and I feel a lot of them can't get out of the past of their land being taken and the government screwing them over, so a little oppression mind set...
Jeez, I didn't realise the situation had got so bad in the community, I only had some vague idea of it.
So, from my knowledge I am aware that different tribes would fight against each other but also have a respect for each other. The battles were just something that was part of their culture.
Has that translated to the different reservations but in a more 'gang cultured' way?
I really feel for the way a culture has been destroyed. White man, has thought everything except them was inferior all the while carrying out the most grotesque foolishness in history.
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It's OK! You handled that very well!
So, I was friends with someone from another tribe and that tribe is not OK with the Cherokee tribe and will no longer speak to you if you are from that tribe. So, there is still some of that going on.
Gangs are in the tribal communities too. It almost like the inner cities full of crimes in a smaller community, where everyone literally knows everyone.
So, I was friends with someone from another tribe and that tribe is not OK with the Cherokee tribe and will no longer speak to you if you are from that tribe. So, there is still some of that going on.
Gangs are in the tribal communities too. It almost like the inner cities full of crimes in a smaller community, where everyone literally knows everyone.
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I've not long came in from taking the dog out (yes I survived it without drinking lol) so going to change into another pair of clothes and have bite to eat.
Feel free to discuss the issue though Dreamcatcher and anyone else, I will reply later
Feel free to discuss the issue though Dreamcatcher and anyone else, I will reply later
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I must say, you can't fix enzymes. It's not something you can just grow on demand. So, it's not an "easy fix"
While other cultures may also lack these biological factors, it is a real thing and issue which plays a big factor in alcoholism. If you're unable to process or breakdown alcohol that is where the negative side affects happen, blackouts, a red rash on the neck, chest and throat and the flush of face is all and example.
While other cultures may also lack these biological factors, it is a real thing and issue which plays a big factor in alcoholism. If you're unable to process or breakdown alcohol that is where the negative side affects happen, blackouts, a red rash on the neck, chest and throat and the flush of face is all and example.
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Originally Posted by Lonewolf22
How did you cope in that sort of environment did you obviously have people that had your back? Or are you quite strong-minded?
I'm a terrible writer, but I've thought of an addiction /recovery book before!
While I didn't grow up on the reservation, I did grow up with an addictive, absent, abusive mother. My path was already paved down the road of addiction, loneliness, no self worth /love and so on like I feel many of us have experienced.
But the road to recovery I am paving and I am reaping it's sweet rewards!!!
I have a son, he is 2.5 and I'll be damned if I have an influence of drugs and alcohol onto him. If he chooses that path when he is older, so be it, but I don't want it to stem from me and my behaviors.
When I was pregnant I promised myself he would never see me drunk, while I did drink for a year and a half of his life, I was smacked with reality many times of how this addiction was leading me to no where good. And here I am, sober and happy!!!
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We all have a skill, I think if you dabble in a mix of things you will find your calling. And failure is a part of that.
Currently I am learning how to paint, I am not very good, I have screwed up many pieces, but I am determined to paint. It is very therapeutic and I want to be good, yes, good enough to even sell some art. That is my end goal, but to get there I have to learn how to do it, hang it on my wall, fail, pick it back up and do it again. I'll get there
Just like you will find what you like to do, what drives and motivates you.
VOlunteering is a great idea. In 2018 I want to do this at least 1 time per month. When my little is older I will do that more as he will also join me. You never know who you could meet and what opportunities could be presented to you or what fire may be lit under you....
I wish you the best!!!
Currently I am learning how to paint, I am not very good, I have screwed up many pieces, but I am determined to paint. It is very therapeutic and I want to be good, yes, good enough to even sell some art. That is my end goal, but to get there I have to learn how to do it, hang it on my wall, fail, pick it back up and do it again. I'll get there
Just like you will find what you like to do, what drives and motivates you.
VOlunteering is a great idea. In 2018 I want to do this at least 1 time per month. When my little is older I will do that more as he will also join me. You never know who you could meet and what opportunities could be presented to you or what fire may be lit under you....
I wish you the best!!!
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I was in rehab that was fundamentally based on 12 step recovery. Without offending you (I hope) it just didn't sit well for me. I have never liked group think or for people to think for me. I feel I have to make my own mind up about what is best for me. I think AA focused on particular things that I found unnecessary such as that you have to admit you are an alcoholic, or that you have to have a higher and that if you don't succeed it is because you haven't followed the steps properly.
Sorry but it really wasn't for me.
Currently I'm going to SMART meetings, well I've been to one lol I also start a PSI (psychosocial intervention) group on Monday, not quite sure what to expect from it to be honest. I also go to a breakfast morning at the recovery centre on a Thursday which is great as they make you a breakfast sandwich and cups of tea are available and you can just sit and chat or stare into space like I do haha Still not that great at socialising, I feel dead awkward actually ha!
Then I'm planning on taking antabuse just as a safety net for a period of time and I'm planning on doing a lot of hiking
Do you do much apart from AA?
Sorry but it really wasn't for me.
Currently I'm going to SMART meetings, well I've been to one lol I also start a PSI (psychosocial intervention) group on Monday, not quite sure what to expect from it to be honest. I also go to a breakfast morning at the recovery centre on a Thursday which is great as they make you a breakfast sandwich and cups of tea are available and you can just sit and chat or stare into space like I do haha Still not that great at socialising, I feel dead awkward actually ha!
Then I'm planning on taking antabuse just as a safety net for a period of time and I'm planning on doing a lot of hiking
Do you do much apart from AA?
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Yep, you can only be good at your work if you put the effort in. I've never tried painting before, what sort of paints do you tend to go for? Have you got a specific form of art that you prefer or haven't you quite found your medium yet?
I do enjoy drawing but I don't do it regularly enough. I have a guitar in the corner that spiders tend to use more than me haha
I do enjoy drawing but I don't do it regularly enough. I have a guitar in the corner that spiders tend to use more than me haha
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