Alcohol and Drug Abuse

In communities vulnerable to mental illness such as the indigenous peoples in Canada, there often comes addiction and substance abuse as people try to mask or cope with the negative emotions they are feeling. Around 75% of aboriginal residents feel that alcohol use is a problem in their community, while 33% indicate it as a problem within their own household or family. Another 25% were able to admit to having a personal problem with alcohol (Khan, 2008). 
Figure 6. Aboriginal vs. non-aboriginal Security Risk Subscale
Figure 6. Percentage within group scoring high-risk on Security Risk Subscale.
Adapted from "FORUM on Corrections Research", by Correctional Service
Canada, (2015), Correctional Service Canada, retrieved from http://www.csc
-scc.gc.ca/research/forum/e143/e143d-eng.shtml. Reprinted without permission. 














As for drugs, 27% of First Nations have used marijuana, compared to only 14% of the Canadian population (National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2011). Inuit communities seem to be the most highly impacted by illicit drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, and solvents (National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2011). Surveys by the Nunavik Inuit Health Society revealed that illicit drug users were 60%, which is more than four times higher than in Canada (National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2011). 
Figure 7. Causes of Substance Abuse
Figure 7. Causes of substance abuse in aboriginal communities
flowchart. Adapted from  "Substance Abuse in First Nations",
 (n.d.), Venngage, retrieved from https://infograph.venngage.com/
p/26076/colors-and-grays. Reprinted without permission.














The effects of addiction include violence, abuse, and harm to children in utero, while also contributing to the deterioration of mental health and well-being of the ones addicted and their families. Aboriginals are likely turning to substances as a way to escape from their psychological pain, which is an addictive behaviour that can be passed on from generation to generation.

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