Substance Use Among American Indian and Alaska Native Adults in California

Alex J. Bates, PhD, MD, MPH, Susan H. Babey, PhD, Nicamer Tolentino, MPH, Antoinette Medina

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Fact Sheet Press Release

Graphic with AIAN chronic conditions and substance use publication covers

Highlights

National estimates of substance use based on single-race, non-Latinx AIAN adults may not accurately reflect the experiences of the broader AIAN adult population living in California.

Besides showing the prevalence of substance use among AIAN adults in California, these findings also highlight the need for prevention and treatment strategies that address both the health consequences of substance use and the broader structural factors that contribute to substance use among AIAN communities.

Summary

Published Date: July 23, 2026

This fact sheet uses 2021–2024 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data to examine binge drinking, cigarette use, e-cigarette use, marijuana use, and prescription painkiller misuse among AIAN adults in California.

Findings:

Approximately 1 in 5 AIAN adults had an episode of binge drinking (21%) or used marijuana (19%) in the past month.
Among those who used prescription painkillers in the past year, nearly 1 in 8 reported misusing these painkillers (12%).
Approximately 1 in 8 AIAN adults reported smoking either cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes in the past month (13%).