Drug Abuse Treatment for Women
Women abuse drugs for different reasons than men - and as such require different types of treatment in order to help them overcome drug addiction and maintain sobriety. While there are more women's-only drug abuse treatment facilities than there were ten years ago, women must still work hard to find addiction treatment facilities that understand their unique needs.
Statistics Regarding Women and Drug Abuse
How big a problem is drug abuse and women? Consider the following information about the condition:
- Over 2.5 million women are currently addicted to drugs in the United States
- For many drugs, women are almost twice as likely to become addicted as men
- 2 of 3 women's AIDS cases in the United States involve drugs in some way
- Women are much less likely to seek treatment for the drug addictions than men.
Why do Women Become Involved in Drug Abuse?
There are several keys reasons why women abuse drugs and develop addictions. These are not exclusive to women per se, but are much more prevalent than in men. They include:
- Self-image issues. Problems with self-image and self-esteem lead women to drugs for different reasons. Some begin to use stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines or even crystal meth as a means of losing weight. Others may feel badly about their appearance and as such attempt to self-medicate pain and depression through the use of drugs.
- Sexual abuse and physical abuse. In order to cope with the pain associated with past abuse, women often turn to drugs or alcohol.
What's Different about Drug Abuse Treatment for Women
While women's drug abuse treatment includes many of the same programs as men's treatment (such as detox, counseling and aftercare) there are a few differences in how rehab facilities treat women, including:
- More group counseling. Studies have found that women respond strongly to group counseling sessions. The chance to speak with like-minded individuals can lead to significant breakthroughs.
- Women-only meetings. Another hallmark of effective women's treatment comes by putting women in a more comfortable treatment setting. This means creating a series of women's only meetings where the individual can feel more comfortable opening up about uncomfortable, yet vital topics of conversation.
- Emphasis on drugs more common with women. Women are more likely to engage in stimulant use or become addicted to prescription medications. As such, their treatment needs to be focused on these or other harmful drugs more prevalent with women.
- Creating a safe environment. Women living in a residential rehab facility with men may feel intimidated or uncomfortable by the co-ed setting. It is up to the facility to insure the physical safety of their women patients and do everything possible to help them achieve the peace of mind needed to achieve recovery.
Michael's House understands the special needs of women with drug abuse issues. The caring staff at Michael's House offers individualized treatment that helps restore the physical and emotional well-being of every man and woman who arrives for treatment. Contact Michael's House today at for more information.
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