# “It Changed Everything”: Challenges to Indigenous Recovery Practices Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

## TL;DR

The pandemic worsened mental health and recovery challenges for Native American communities, highlighting the need for culturally grounded support.

## Contribution

This study identifies pandemic-specific resilience factors and barriers in Indigenous addiction recovery through qualitative insights.

## Key findings

- Four themes emerged: healthcare barriers, cultural recovery, historical trauma, and relationships.
- Indigenous recovery practices were challenged by pandemic restrictions and systemic inequities.
- Culturally informed interventions are needed to support Indigenous mental well-being during crises.

## Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing health inequities for Native American communities, intensifying the challenges faced in accessing addiction and recovery services. As part of a tribal-university collaborative effort in Arizona, our team explored the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental well-being and resilience among the Indigenous substance use recovery community.

We conducted qualitative analysis of transcribed individual interviews (n = 19) to understand the factors of resilience and mental well-being for providers of Western addiction treatment services and Indigenous community members who were in addiction recovery or engaged in addiction treatment during the pandemic.

Four major themes that impacted mental well-being among the Indigenous recovery group during the pandemic were identified: (1) healthcare barriers; (2) culture in recovery; (3) the impact of colonization/historical trauma; and (4) the importance of relationships.

This work provides insight into the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indigenous communities and vulnerable populations such as the recovery community. Findings from this study highlight the need for Indigenous-grounded and culturally informed recovery interventions.