Women have different needs than men. It’s apparent in everyday living, but even more so in the addiction recovery process.
Biological, psychological, and social factors play a role in the types of care that women require. Women’s bodies metabolize substances more quickly than men’s, meaning that the same amount of alcohol or drugs will manifest differently in females. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations can also play a part in relapse. The likelihood of co-occurring disorders is yet another reason why women may have different challenges than men during a recovery journey.
With this in mind, here’s why women need specialized addiction treatment, plus what to look for in a rehab for substance abuse program.
Reader's Roadmap
Women Have Unique Underlying Causes
It’s the truth: women have different roles than men. No matter what society says about “sharing the burden” of household work or caregiving, women predominantly take on these roles. As a result, they incur different stressors than their male counterparts. This isn’t to say that men don’t have at-home stress; however, the underlying cause of it may be different.
Studies show that nearly 50% of women will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives. While this percentage is staggering, men are likely to experience trauma a bit more than men. The difference is how women deal with their trauma afterward. Women are at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The cause of this may be that women are more likely to fall victim to sexual assault.
Sexual assault is an example of a big “T” trauma — a situation that can be life-threatening and cause lasting psychological distress. Big “T” trauma can range from abuse to severe accidents to violent crimes to natural disasters to terrorism. Many, if not all of these, can be experienced by both men and women. Yet, sexual abuse is a big “T” trauma that women face disproportionately from men.
Sexual abuse can be difficult to cope with. Many women feel ashamed of their experience, deciding it’s best to hide or try to forget that it occurred in the first place. Other women may be dealing with a case during their childhood, one that they’ve buried for so long that they feel victimized by it. Regardless of when it occurred, it can lead to a path of addiction. Alcoholism and drugs can be an outlet for them to cope and process, but they can quickly lead to addictive behaviors.
Trained counselors and therapists with experience in treating addiction in women will understand the nuances of addressing a big “T” trauma, like sexual abuse. They’ll assist in uncovering the root source of the trauma, delicately helping the patient understand that they were not to blame for this act. This level of care will be advantageous in healing from the addiction itself.
Women Face a Challenging Stigma Around Addiction
It’s rare for women stuck in the addictive cycle to see themselves portrayed in movies or television shows. Society as a whole portrays women as immoral or in the wrong if they are addicted to substances, while men are portrayed as failing their families. Men who drink or partake in drugs tend to be viewed as “letting off some steam,” yet women are expected to be the ones in control of their feelings and reel them in when things get out of hand.
Moreover, cultural and gendered expectations see women as caring and loving, which contradicts a female who requires assistance. Women can be heavily judged by their behaviors and may feel more shame in revealing to others that they need help.
Because of this stigma, many women decide to internalize their shame and try to hide their problems instead of coming to the surface. With this, they become more addicted to substances and go further from the path of recovery. By exacerbating the need to self-medicate, women are delaying the process of healing.
Additionally, there is the fear of consequences if they undergo treatment. What will happen to their children if they need to attend inpatient rehab? How will their female friendships view them? Will they lose their job because they are seeking help? These types of questions add a barrier to entry to assistance.
Again, therapists trained in women’s health will also understand all that comes with being a female. They’ll help the patient unravel their needs from the needs assigned to them by society. With this, they’ll create a plan that is tailored to their specific requirements.
Conclusion: What to Look for in a Rehab Program
A rehab program designed for women will offer a supportive environment for patients to address the root cause of their addiction while helping them overcome feelings of worthlessness. These types of programs — whether they are inpatient rehab facilities or intensive outpatient programs — will acknowledge what women need to continue down the path to recovery.
When seeking a program for your or a loved one’s needs, take time to evaluate all the options. Ask questions specifically about the counselors’ or therapists’ backgrounds to get a sense if they are experienced in treating women. Inquire what percentage of the patients are females versus males. Lastly, if you have any specific requirements, such as childcare responsibilities, be upfront with your needs. A program that is flexible in accommodations may be the most suitable for your specific situation.