A Scoping Review of the Implementation of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Indian Country: Integration of Cultural Practices and Barriers.

Authors

Neshay D'Silva, Brooke de Heer, Sydney Shevat, Pamela Buzzard, Shane Haberstroh, Juliette Roddy

Published in

American Indian and Alaska native mental health research (Online). Volume 33. Issue 2. Pages 101-146.

Abstract

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people experience high rates of opioid misuse and disproportionate barriers to treatment services, yet our understanding of the effectiveness of and barriers to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in Indian Country is limited. The aim of this scoping review was to synthesize research on MAT for opioid use disorders within AI/AN communities across the United States and examine how this treatment approach has been put into practice, studied, or addressed within those populations. A total of 153 articles were reviewed, and 27 articles met the inclusion criteria. The studies included were conducted across the United States, representing all age groups, and encompassing both urban and rural AI/AN community groups engaged in MAT for opioid use disorder. Only a small number of studies focused on effectiveness of MAT for AI/AN populations, with the vast majority focusing on various systemic barriers. Findings also revealed the need to integrate Indigenous cultural traditions and holistic wellness approaches in MAT. Based on this review, we provide recommendations for future MAT interventions including the expansion of telehealth and incorporating unique elements of AI/AN culture to help bridge the gaps in access to care.

PMID:
42956283
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 30 Oct 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.