Native American Medicine Wheel and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

This dissertation study addressed the impacts of therapeutic failures and lack of Evidence Based Best Practices that are normed for use with the Native American (NA) population. This dissertation explored the use of NA Medicine Wheel (MW) techniques and cultural interventions in Substance use Disorder (SUD) treatment interventions. The research undertaken used grounded theoretical concepts as the foundation of the data analysis and research findings. Nine treatment providers were interviewed for this qualitative research project. Each interview was transcribed and analyzed using Atlas.ti to identify emerging themes. Data analysis revealed nine themes common to the providers providing SUD interventions for NA treatment participants. These research findings and themes included the types of MW interventions used, historical trauma implications, examples and uses of cultural humility, elder roles in SUD treatment interventions, the implementation of cultural practices in treatment, examples of various treatment modalities, and developmental interventions used for this population.