The role and spirituality in Athabascan recovery and sobriety

Abstract

It is well documented that Alaska leads the nation in alcohol dependence and abuse. There are studies that document the high abuse levels among Alaska Natives along with corresponding economic costs and lost productivity. The purpose of this study was: (a) to determine the definition of spirituality of a purposive sample of Athabascan Indians of Interior Alaska and (b) to discover what role spirituality plays in Athabascan recovery and sobriety. Nine life history interviews were examined from the People Awakening Project at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. A Grounded Theory Analysis was used to yield culturally relevant results. A definition of spirituality was determined and the role that spirituality plays in Athabascan recovery and sobriety was discovered. Athabascan recovery does not correspond entirely with traditional western treatment methods but there are some similarities in the recovery process common to both. Four of the nine interviews discussed attendance of AA groups or counseling as a help in their recovery. It is recommended that further study with other Alaska Native groups would be beneficial to identify protective and resiliency factors of spirituality and determine how to incorporate these factors for prevention of alcohol dependence.