Womens Addiction Treatment

There are differences in how substance abuse affects women and men. These differences can pose a challenge for women if they do not have access to a rehab program that offers gender-specific services.

Biological Differences

There are biological differences that make addiction progress at a faster rate in women than in men. Women are also more susceptible to relapsing. This is because women metabolize alcohol and drugs differently than men.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that women have fewer stomach enzymes than men, along with more fatty tissue. This slows down the process of metabolizing alcohol and drugs, exposing women to higher concentrations of the substance for long periods of time.

Female sex hormones can also make women more sensitive to drugs or alcohol. Brain changes that occur from long-term addiction can also affect women differently than men, and women are more likely to end up overdosing than men.

Cultural Differences

There are also cultural differences between the sexes that make substance abuse challenging for women. Women tend to experience more stigmatization around substance abuse because of their traditional roles as caretakers and mothers. 

Domestic violence affects women more than men as well, and women who are victims of domestic violence are at a higher risk of developing a substance abuse disorder.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that between 55% and 99% of all women in addiction treatment programs have had trauma.

Co-Occurring Disorders

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, women are more likely than men to develop depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Post-partum depression is another co-occurring disorder that affects women and can lead to substance abuse.

Economic Challenges

The Recovery Research Institute states that women are more likely to face financial challenges that can make it more difficult to get treatment. Women tend to face lower wages and pay gaps. They also have a higher likelihood of living in poverty before the onset of substance abuse.

Motherhood

As much as 70% of entering womens addiction treatment programs have children, according to SAMHSA. Women are also usually the primary caregiver for children, leading to higher numbers of them not being able to attend regular treatment sessions because of family responsibilities.

Women with children may also hesitate to ask for help because of the fear of legal action and the involvement of social services.

Womens addiction treatment centers need to offer women’s rehab programs that can address the unique challenges women face as they enter recovery.

At Four Seasons Detox, you can find an intensive outpatient program as well as dual-diagnosis treatments, medical detoxification, group therapy, and individual therapies that include rational emotive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy.

Four Seasons Detox can help with many types of addictions, including:

• Alcohol abuse
• Adderall
• Benzodiazepines
• Ketamine
• Oxycodone
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Xanax
• Meth
• Prescription drugs
• Crack
• Fentanyl
• Heroin
• Other opioids

A rehab program for women offers gender-specific options for group therapies and a safe environment that promotes healing.

Medical Detoxification

Detoxing is the first step in the recovery process, and it comes with intense symptoms that range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. Withdrawal symptoms can be so strong that people may not maintain sobriety if they try to detox on their own.

Four Seasons Detox offers medical detoxification. During this part of women’s rehab, you will have constant medical monitoring along with medications that can help reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms. This option allows women to safely detox and stay determined to follow their treatment plans.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Even after you have gone through detox, cravings can make long-term recovery difficult to maintain. Medication-assisted treatment curbs those cravings so that you can focus on therapy.

Medication-assisted womens addiction treatment offers a safer recovery process that can help prevent relapses. It can also make long-term success more likely by allowing women to focus on learning how to heal and not on their cravings.

Dual-Diagnosis Treatment

If you have a substance use disorder as well as a co-occurring mental health condition, being able to get treatment for both at the same time is essential. The right women’s rehab program will be able to offer different therapy options that can tackle the root causes of the addiction and any mental health symptoms that arose after substance use began.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

At Four Seasons Detox, you can receive dialectical behavior therapy. This talk therapy focuses on the social aspects of mental health. Therefore, it can help you find the triggers that may have led to a substance use disorder in the past.

This kind of therapy will help you recognize your emotions and learn to manage them with healthy coping skills.

Rational Emotive Therapy

Rational emotive therapy deals with internal responses, including negative personal beliefs and thought patterns. It encourages unconditional self-acceptance and self-love. When dealing with a substance use disorder, tackling negative thought patterns can help with daily living, especially for women who experienced trauma.

If you have just finished your detox process, it can be a good idea to turn to a residential program. It can offer the structure and support you need to maintain sobriety. A residential substance abuse treatment offers monitoring and drug testing, as well as group and individual therapy.

Residential treatment can allow you to re-learn how to function without relying on a substance. This phase of a women’s rehab program can prepare you for more independent living.

For women struggling with addiction and mental health concerns, an addiction treatment center like 4 Seasons Detox can offer gender-specific treatment approaches that can lead to long-term recovery. Contact our treatment center today to get started with women’s addiction treatment.