About Us
Across American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities today, the high occurrence of alcohol and substance abuse, mental health disorders, suicide, and behavior-related chronic diseases is well documented. Each serious behavioral health issue has a profound impact on the health of individuals, families, and communities, both on- and off-reservations.
The Indian Health Service (IHS) addresses severe alcohol use disorder from a disease model perspective. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is viewed as a primary chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and appearance.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance, such as illicit drugs for mood-altering purposes, or abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are indicated, in quantities other than directed by the label.
With the right support and treatment, individuals with AUD and SUD can recover and improve their health, preventing the progressive effects that can harm their well-being.
The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Branch (ASAB) funding consists of:
- Funds distributed directly to federal programs and to Tribes through the P.L. 93-638 Self-Determination contracts and compacts [PDF - 600 KB] .
- Currently, most mental health programs and nearly all alcohol programs are operated by tribal organizations.
The goals of the ASAB are to effectively:
- Assist Tribes in the planning, development, and implementation of culturally-informed and trauma-informed programming.
- Improve the quality of and access to care for AI/AN communities.
