For generations, American Indian and Alaska Native communities have faced overlapping challenges of substance abuse, mental illness, and intergenerational trauma. Access to quality residential substance abuse treatment or behavioral health care has too often been limited—especially in rural areas—due to historical inequities, systemic barriers, and a lack of culturally relevant services. This gap in care has left many physically, mentally, and emotionally struggling without the resources they deserve.
Our treatment centers and wellness centers integrate evidence-based practices with traditional healing methods such as Medicine Wheel teachings, sweat lodge ceremonies, and community-based activities. These programs are designed not only to address alcohol and drug dependency but also to restore a sense of mental, emotional, and spiritual balance.
The Reality of Addiction in Native American Communities
Misconceptions about substance use in Native communities are harmful and persistent. One damaging myth is that Native Americans are somehow genetically predisposed to alcoholism or substance abuse. In reality, addiction within American Indian and Alaska Native communities is linked to historical trauma, poverty, discrimination, and limited community health resources—not genetic inevitability.
Statistics underscore the urgency of specialized care:
Approximately 10.2% of American Indian adults live with a substance use disorder, a rate significantly higher than the national average.
Youth in Native communities experience prescription drug misuse and marijuana addiction rates nearly double those of their peers.
Rates of co-occurring mental health conditions—such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety—are among the highest in the nation.
These numbers point to a clear truth: culturally responsive, accessible addiction treatment is not just important—it’s essential.
What Makes Native American Residential Treatment Unique?
A residential treatment facility for Native Americans goes beyond standard addiction recovery by weaving cultural identity into every step of the process. At Aliya Health Group, our residential inpatient and outpatient treatment programs are designed to help individuals reconnect with their heritage while building the tools for lifelong sobriety.
Key elements include:
Medicine Wheel–based recovery frameworks addressing healing physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually
Alcoholics Anonymous and other peer support models adapted for cultural relevance
Traditional healing ceremonies, drumming circles, and storytelling
Family programs to support healing for loved ones, including households with dependent children
Collaboration with tribal elders and rural health leaders to strengthen community ties
Our goal is to empower individuals to leave treatment not only sober, but also with a stronger sense of purpose, identity, and cultural pride.
Integrating Traditional Healing with Modern Care
While we honor and preserve Indigenous traditions, our treatment facilities also provide clinically proven interventions. Clients have access to:
Individual and group counseling
Trauma-informed care for those with co-occurring mental health disorders
Case management to support community health and social needs
Holistic therapies such as mindfulness, meditation, and art therapy
By combining traditional practices with modern therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), our programs provide a balanced and practical approach to recovery.
Locations and Accessibility
Aliya Health Group’s Tribal Healing track is available in multiple center locations, including the treatment center located at Puget Sound Recovery Center in Sumner, Washington. These programs serve Indians and Alaska Natives from across the country, with an emphasis on partnerships through the Association of the Northwest and tribal health organizations.
We also provide outpatient treatment options for those unable to commit to a full residential facility stay, ensuring that rural and urban Native communities alike have access to care. Our staff can guide you through the admissions process, explain your Notice of Privacy Practices, and work with your insurance provider to maximize coverage.
Why This Work Matters
Every Native person who steps into one of our programs carries not only personal struggles but also the weight of collective history. By creating spaces where cultural identity is celebrated and traditional healing is integrated into recovery, we help our clients heal mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—and in doing so, we help heal entire communities.
If you or a loved one is seeking inpatient treatment or residential substance abuse treatment that honors your heritage, Aliya Health Group’s Native American programs can help. Contact us today to learn more about our addiction treatment services and to begin your journey toward wellness.
