Issues surrounding substance dependence of Native Americans are examined through the cultural concept of the Broken Circle. Traditional cultural views of wellness and healing are described using the traditions of Indian Medicine, the value of the Circle, and what it means to live in harmony and balance. Underlying factors in substance dependence of Native Americans are presented along with practical counseling recommendations and implications for treatment through both contemporary and traditional Native healing methods.A True Story An Indian man stands alone staring out the window of his suburban apartment with a .45 caliber handgun pointed at his head. He is in his 30s now, and has battled alcoholism for years. He has fought to be a good single father to his two young sons. He has grappled with that emptiness deep down in his spirit all his life and that constant nagging urge to always take just one more drink. He has been in and out of treatment programs, on and off with AA [Alcoholics Anonymous], and now he just wants all the pain to stop. He can feel the coldness of the barrel against his throbbing temple, and, as he stares out of the window at the beautiful summer day unfolding before him, he notices a little turtle struggling to go from one place to another. Then he notices the cat crouched not far away from the turtle waiting for the right moment to pounce on its helpless prey. The turtle, spying the cat in waiting, quickly pulls into its shell. Just then, the cat leaps toward the turtle, pawing and hissing. Safely in its shell, the turtle remains unharmed by the persistent cat that tries to open this troublesome package, knocking it upside down, prying, but to no avail. Frustrated, the cat wanders off in search of easier prey. Moments pass before the turtle emerges slowly from the safety of its shell once again. First the head, then a leg or two, and finally everything back where it was. The turtle, which is lying upside down from the ordeal, slowly pushes itself with one leg, flips itself back right side up, and continues on his journey. The Indian man, who has become so engrossed in this drama taking place before him, has lowered the gun from his head as he continues to watch. The turtle comes to a log. The man looks on, expecting the turtle to find some way to go around this barrier, but the turtle just slowly, patiently climbs over the log and flips down on the other side of it. As the man glances down at the gun in his hand, the wetness in his eyes swells. As he looks back out the window, the turtle has disappeared.Electronic Journal: To print this article select pages 3-12. TOC