Improving substance use and behavioral health services for Alaska Native communities

Commitment to Recovery: Alaska Native Community Needs for Substance Use Treatment

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · SOUTHCENTRAL FOUNDATION · NIH-11367182

This project works with Alaska Native and American Indian communities in southcentral Alaska to design better prevention, treatment, and recovery supports for people affected by substance use.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorSOUTHCENTRAL FOUNDATION (nih funded)
Locations1 site (ANCHORAGE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11367182 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

We are working with Southcentral Foundation to build on a 2018 community health needs assessment that identified substance use and behavioral health as top concerns. The project gathers feedback from customer-owners, healthcare staff, and leaders across Anchorage and 55 rural villages to find gaps in prevention, addiction awareness, short- and long-term treatment, and overdose response. Leaders will use what people say to improve access to care, expand treatment options, and strengthen prevention and suicide support services. The goal is to create community-driven plans that better meet the needs of Alaska Native and American Indian people and their families.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are Alaska Native and American Indian adults, families, and community members in southcentral Alaska (including Anchorage and surrounding rural villages) who have experience with substance use or who want to help improve local services.

Not a fit: People who do not live in southcentral Alaska, are not part of the AN/AI communities served by Southcentral Foundation, or need immediate clinical treatment may not directly benefit from this planning-focused project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could increase access to culturally relevant prevention and treatment services and reduce overdoses and untreated behavioral health problems among Alaska Native and American Indian people.

How similar studies have performed: Community health needs assessments and tribal-led service redesigns have previously helped health systems improve access and tailoring of behavioral health and substance use services, so this project builds on established community-engagement practices.

Where this research is happening

ANCHORAGE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.