RE-ENCULTURATION: CULTURALLY CONGRUENT INTERVENTIONS FOR MäORI WITH ALCOHOL- AND DRUG-USE-ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS IN NEW ZEALAND*

Abstract

Generally, the relationship between culture and substance use has been explored in two ways. Firstly, high rates of substance use and related problems amongst indigenous and migrant populations generated interest in genetics and cultural susceptibility. Acculturation-strain type theories suggested the stress of culture-change increased the risk of substance use and related harm. Secondly, there has been an increasing emphasis on taking account of the diversity of social, psychological, and cultural factors in the assessment and treatment of alcohol- and drug-use-associated problems. Utilization of ethnocultural factors as a means to promote recovery from alcohol- and drug-use-associated problems is a feature of culturally congruent interventions. Mäori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, and this paper outlines the background to the increasing inclusion of customary Mäori values, beliefs, and practices in interventions in the development of culturally congruent programs.