Stop with the Booze: Alcohol Abuse & Its Effects on Mental Health

Iva Mae Tenorio

Pueblo of San Felipe

(San Felipe Pueblo, Home, September 19, 2024)

(Tenorio, Iva. Me, September 3, 2024)

Iva Tenorio.webm

RESEARCH LOG 1: Identity

(Tenorio, Iva, Hyde Memorial State Park, June, 2024)

"Sharing One Skin"

In the article, “Sharing One Skin,” by Jeanette Armstrong clarifies how the Okanagan Culture and community perceive the world. This is called the Four Selves of the Okanagan People. They have roles and responsibilities to help connect with their communities and become stronger. Being part of a community, you may give up some rights (putting others before you), though it gives benefits to the community. Their language also gives a way to connect with the people and the world. “The way we talk about ourselves as Okanagan people is difficult to replicate in English.” Not all words in our language can be translated into English. We have sayings that only we understand.

Jeannette Armstrong. 1996 "Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community." in Jerry Mander and Edward Godsmith (eds), The Case Against the Global Economy, San Fransico, CA: Sierra Club Boks. Pp 460-470

How place names the impact the way we see landscape

Memories and stories are connected to our land as described by B. Toastie in the article, “How place names impact the way we see landscape”. Many of the places named are due to the history of that place. Although some can have misunderstandings due to not being able to know the “actual” story or history of the places. As long as we continue to keep the stories alive, we can continue to remember the history of the places. A place can bring a sense of belonging and tell the stories of the past. I’ve been in New Mexico for most of my life, it’s where I grew up and became who I am today. “The story can persist. It’ll always be there, it’ll always be attached to the land as long as we remember that story. I don't think those stories will ever go away.”

Toastie, B. “How place names impact the way we see landscape.” High Country News: Know the West, 1 May 2022, https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.5/people-places-how-place-names-impact- the-way-we-see-landscape.

(Tenorio, Iva, California Hermosa Beach, July 18, 2024)

(Tenorio, Iva, SFIS, Raining Sunshine, September 16, 2024)

And then I went to School

Taking away our identity and being forced to become someone we are not is a cruel punishment the Natives did not deserve, but we struggled to cope with it. “And Then I Went To School” by Joe Suina stated that he loved his traditional culture. Practicing, learning, and doing his traditions made him feel at home, until he went to a boarding school. The school made him feel distant towards his culture because they pressured him into “kill the indian, save the man”meaning he had to learn the ways of the white men and forget about his culture. Suina longed to feel the freedom he used to feel.

Suina, Joseph “And I went to school” memories of a pueblo childhood,”. New Mexico Journal of Reading, Winter 1985, Vol. V, No.2.

RESEARCH LOG 2: History

(Tenorio, Iva, New York, April 2024)

Alcoholism in the Cities and Border Towns

“Alcoholism in the Cities and Border Towns” states how many Natives struggle with alcohol. Native Americans were known for not being able to hold their liquor. Also known as the stereotypical term, “drunken Indians”. Natives had a wide variety (age and gender) of alcoholics. There are many causes of becoming an alcoholic. From wanting to let loose to having a feeling and sense of hopelessness. “Alcoholism creates an illusion of temporary relief that many Indian drinkers try to live.” Alcoholism caused many deaths in various ways like drunk driving, cirrhosis to the liver, suicide, etc. Since alcohol was banned in reservations natives would travel to border towns to drink, Their addiction is something we can’t control.

Ewen, Alexander, and Jeffrey Wollock. “Alcoholism, American Indians And.” Encyclopedia of the American Indian in the Twentieth Century, Facts On File, 2014. American Indian History, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=18626&itemid=WE43&articleId=358974.

(Tenorio, Iva, SFIS Scenery, August 26, 2021)

Native Americans and Alcoholism

Alcoholism is something out of our control, “Natives Americans and Alcoholism” by Jefferey Wallock describes how alcoholism is the most serious problem among Native tribes and communities. “Since the contact with the European settlers. Before meeting the settlers, Natives had not known what alcohol was.” To Natives alcohol consumption/intoxication helped cope with their historical trauma. They have been through the removal of their ancestral land and loss of traditional practices. Alcoholism has been the cause of many deaths, especially among Natives. In 2006 information from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) reported that the death rate due to alcoholism hasn't declined much since 1996. Alcohol is like a disease and affects everyone like a virus.

Ewen, Alexander, and Jeffrey Wollock. “Psychology, American Indians In.” Encyclopedia of the American Indian in the Twentieth Century, Facts On File, 2014. American Indian History,online.infobase.com/Auth/Index aid=18626&itemid=WE43&articleId=359652.

(San Felipe Pueblo, Rio Grande, September 20, 2024)

American Indians and Psychologists

It is hard to ask for help, but just know you’re not alone. Natives are needed to help voice out problems in the community as clarified in the article, “American Indians and Psychologists”. Native psychologists are studying and researching problems among tribal communities. These problems include substance use, alcoholism, and mental health. The reason for this would be due to intergenerational trauma and internalized oppression. “The environment in which most Indian people live is more stressful than any other environment in the United States.” More natives are coming to the health programs to help communities heal.

Fixico, Donald. “Alcoholism in the Cities and Border Towns.” The Urban Indian Experience in America, University of New Mexico Press, 2000. American Indian History, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=18626&itemid=WE43&articleId=535662.

RESEARCH LOG 3: Current State of Issue

(Tenorio, Iva, Snow in San Felipe Pueblo, November 8, 2024)

How a family member's addiction affects you

Alcohol abuse can affect many people’s mental health. It can affect both the alcoholic and their loved ones. In the article, “How a family member's addiction affects you” gives a description of how teenagers cope with alcohol abuse. “They may be trying to let out some of their anger in ways that don’t seem bad.” Alcohol puts down the mental health of the alcoholic’s loved ones. Some experience criticism, physical and emotional abuse. There are treatments for both the alcoholics and their loved ones. These include support groups, counseling and family therapy. Alcohol is a disease.

“Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Your Family” Teen Health and Wellness, Rosen Publishing Group, Inc, August 2022,

teenhealthandwellness.com/article/131/drug-and-alcohol-abuse-in-your-family.Accessed,5,Nov, 2024

(Tenorio, Iva, Sunrise Drive, December 13, 2024)

Yet Another Attempt to Raise the State's Alcohol Tax Moves in the NM House

Alcoholics would go to any height or obstacle just to get a sip of liquor. “Yet another attempt to raise the state’s alcohol tax moves in the NM House” tells how many bills were introduced but haven’t been signed into law. Among those bills was to raise alcohol tax in New Mexico. This could prevent/reduce alcohol usage. “Other policy changes can be made too, but raising liquor tax is the most immediate and effective solution, like using the money to have sufficient programs in New Mexico to deal with the alcohol misuse. Seeing how many alcoholics would go at any length to consume alcohol, this bill would be one step closer to providing treatment for the alcoholics and their loved one’s mental health. This would provide benefits for both the in-patient and the out-patient. They could be able to get treatment, counseling, and therapy. There are a variety of different ways to treat it and control it.

Jones, Nash, et al. “Yet another attempt to raise the state’s alcohol tax moves ahead in the NM House” source New Mexico, 30, Jan. 2024 sourcenm.com/2024/01/30/yet-another-attempt-to-raise-the-states-alcohol-taxmoves-ahead-inthe-nm-house

RESEARCH LOG 4: Global Connections

(Tenorio,Iva, The River of Lights, December 9, 2024)

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Psychometric Properties of Alcohol-Related Behaviors in the USA

Alcohol items and factors are different based on racial/ethnic identification according to the article, “Racial/Ethnic Differences in Psychometric Properties of Alcohol-Related Behaviors in the USA” written by Darius B. Dawson. Although alcohol related behaviors were examined by using surveys based on self reports of attitudes/actions they lack variance across ethnic groups, which may be due to deep rooted differences in ethnic classification of unhealthy substance use in behaviors. When the National Survey on Drug Use and Health examined factor structures they had come to a conclusion that the psychometric properties of scales assessing alcohol behaviors generalized across racial/ethnic groups require elevations.

Dawson, Darius B., and Elizabeth A Klonoff. “Racial/Ethnic Differences in Psychometric Properties of Alcohol Related Behaviors in the USA.” Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, vol. 10, no. 4, 2023, pp. 1978-1984. ProQuest, https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/racial-ethnic-differences-psychometric-properties/docview/2922075711/se-2, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/540615-022-01379-3.

Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated with Harmful Use of Alcohol Among Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Immigrant Patients in Italy

Those who have a higher burden of negative alcohol-related probability of receiving a psychiatric diagnosis would be individuals with lower socioeconomic status, especially immigrants. The article, “Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated with Harmful Use of Alcohol Among Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Immigrant Patients in Italy”, written by Anteo Di Napoli, a study by the National Institute For Health Migration and Poverty (INMP) used a holistic health and social care system and patterns of care with a transcultural approach to facilitate access to health care services, while conducted samples of 330 consecutive immigrants, it was revealed the main factor of HAU was employment and marriage. Marriage provides benefits to men in the form of a healthy lifestyle, emotional support and physical comfort.

Di, Napoli A., et al. “Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated with Harmful Use of Alcohol Among Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Immigrant Patients in Italy. “Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, vol. 22, no. 2, 2020, pp. 426-431. ProQuest, https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/sociodemographic-characteristics-associated-with/docview/2270288455/se-2,doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-019-00928-2.

(Tenorio, Iva, SFIS Snow!, November 6, 2024)

(Tenorio, Iva, Sundown, December 6, 2024)

Sikh women’s experiences with alcohol abuse in their families

The fear of shame affects the action of seeking out for help. “Sikh women’s experiences with alcohol abuse in their families” by Shannon Haayer provides information about how the Sikh women are hesitant to ask for help as their cultures are linked to their behavior. “Shame can be reflected, in that person’s behavior can bring shame to others, and others can bring shame to that person.” Most common reasons for women’s reluctance to seek help for mental health issues: Women thought no one would be able to help, that it was a problem to cope with, that it was not necessary to contact professional help, and that the consequences for seeking help would be negative. Despite that, therapists take culturally and societally in assessing their clients’ problems.

Hayer, Shannon. Sikh women’s experiences with alcohol abuse in their families and communities, Adler School of Professional Psychology, United States - - Illinois, 2014. Proquest, https:www.proquest.com/disserations-theses/sikh-womens-experiences-with-alcohol-abuse-their/docview/1614531653/se-2

Personal Connection

(Tenorio, Iva, SFIS Sunset, August 29, 2024)

I am interested in the topic of alcohol abuse because I have had a personal experience growing up as a kid. I grew up with an alcoholic father. Alcohol abuse has affected me in many ways as a kid, especially mentally, such as getting depression and anxiety. I would like to help those who are suffering from alcohol abuse as well. Whether you’re an alcoholic or a loved one suffering from alcoholism. I will spread awareness and find any possible solution for alcohol abuse. My issue with alcohol abuse is that many don’t know how much alcohol use can affect the mental health of others and themselves

Action Plan

(Tenorio, Iva. List. November 5, 2024)

(Tenorio, Iva. Action plan. November 6, 2024)

For my action plan, 14 girls (freshman-seniors) from different pueblos had attended my action plan. I presented a little background information and explained ways alcohol abuse can affect the mental wellbeing. After presenting, I handed out an Anonymous Survey for them to answer. The reason for this circumstance was due to discussing a sensitive topic. I wanted to make it anonymous in order for the girls to feel comfortable answering the questions. They would discuss with their peers and brainstorm ideas to help with spreading awareness to those who are suffering from alcohol abuse.I chose to do this action plan because I wanted to know if many other students also go through experiencing alcohol abuse and most of them have. I also wanted to see what advice they would give to those struggling. In the end many enjoyed my action plan and helped themselves with pizza.

Page updated

Report abuse