The subject of Native Americans, gambling, and substance abuse is a complex one. All three are intertwined in some ways that are related to Native American culture, while also interplaying as they do for any other cultural group.

Greater Likelihood for Addiction?

According to some statistics, the national prevalence rate of lifetime pathological gambling is about .8 percent. The rate for alcohol dependence is about 13.8 percent, and the rate for drug dependence is approximately 6.2 percent. Major depression has an occurrence of about 6.4 percent.

There is often a stereotype associated with Native Americans and substance abuse in terms of the gaming industry. However, people who are involved in gambling have a similar risk for addiction to both gambling and substances like drugs and alcohol. In fact, tribes that operate gaming industries often have exemplary programs for substance abuse treatment and for problem gamblers. In states like Arizona, Connecticut, and North Dakota, for example, tribal governments are the primary source of funding for these treatment programs.

Part of the reason why Native Americans have had trouble with stereotypes in terms of drug use in relation to gambling is because gaming is such an intertwined part of many Native Americans’ lives, and also that Native Americans may suffer from substance abuse or alcohol dependence for different reasons than people of other cultures. Cultural conflict, stress, and low self-esteem all play a role in why some Native Americans may become substance abusers. Many younger Native Americans have the potential for abuse since their culture has a history of hard oppression and many of their immediate family members may have suffered directly from this oppression. They may have lived on the reservations when they were more like prison camps or experienced spiritually or psychologically damaging insults.

Tribal governments are approaching the problem of substance abuse or potential for gambling addiction as a family and community effort. Since substance abuse is typically a community problem, tribal governments are encouraging family participation and other networks of support such as peer groups to help abusers come clean. Other groups are working to negate the stereotypes that seem to re-emerge about the relation between Native Americans, gambling, and substance abuse.