Purpose of review: The role of alcohol varies considerably among Indigenous Peoples and is the backdrop of persistent stereotypes despite decades of research. This paper provides an updated narrative review on the alcohol literature among Indigenous communities, highlighting recent studies published since 2017.
Recent findings: We examined published literature involving alcohol use rates, including abstinence; risk and protective factors; treatment; and recovery, as well as future directions for alcohol prevention and intervention efforts with Indigenous communities.
Summary: Evidence-based alcohol use prevention, intervention, and recovery strategies with Indigenous communities are outlined. Recommendations are provided for researchers, health providers, and public policy advocates to address and better understand alcohol use, treatment, prevention, and recovery among Indigenous Peoples. Specific recommendations include using community-based participatory research strategies and harm reduction approaches to prevent and treat alcohol use problems with Indigenous communities. Future research is needed to elucidate mechanisms of resilience and recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder and possible shifts in perceptions of alcohol use for Indigenous Peoples.
Keywords: Alaska Native; Alcohol abstinence; Alcohol prevention; Alcohol recovery; Alcohol treatment; Alcohol use; American Indian; Indigenous.