Residential and nonresidential substance use treatment within Indigenous populations: a systematic review

Abstract

Examining treatment outcomes of nonresidential and residential treatment programs may suggest best practices for Indigenous communities delivering treatment services. A systematic review of peer-reviewed and gray literatures comparing treatment outcomes for Indigenous populations was completed. Three studies compared treatment outcomes and reported varying results. Reported outcomes were retention and relapse rates, cultural knowledge, and participant treatment duration. Most retrieved studies described residential treatment outcomes, but it was unclear whether this modality is the best option for Indigenous people seeking treatment. Further research describing treatment modalities, across a continuum of care, situated within culturally developed treatment frameworks is required.

KEYWORDS:

• Indigenous research
• residential treatment
• nonresidential treatment
• systematic review
• substance use

Additional information

Funding

There are no real or perceived conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, to disclose with the submission of this manuscript. Dr. Christopher J. Mushquash’s involvement in this work is partially supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program.