For those who have been fortunate enough to have never experienced drug or alcohol addiction, something that they may have not considered is the importance of having gender-specific rehab programs-particularly women’s drug rehab. While many treatment facilities cater for both men’s and women’s needs, special considerations are needed in specific cases to ensure the highest quality of care. The emotional problems that lead to drug addiction in women and men are similar. The emotional stress can cause depression, anxiousness and an overall depletion. Many people turn to drug abuse to help them cope. The sexual abuse of women can be the main factor that leads to drug dependency. According to Renew Wellness Recovery women who had experienced any kind of sexual abuse when they were children, are three-times more likely as adults to admit to drug dependency.
The result is that even a good-intended hug from a man in rehab will trigger a bad response, and instead of comforting, it can lead to addiction. Any treatment program must include a thorough understanding of what caused the addict’s addiction. A person can work with therapists or a group to face the past to understand what led them to drug abuse. This can only be done once it has been assessed and identified.
Many women who seek treatment in facilities specializing in female addictions are mothers. This separation can create other difficulties. The children’s reaction, their fear of abandonment or loss of guidance, as well as the parents’ addiction can cause emotional, physical and mental abuse.
Many types of addiction treatment have been developed to address the specific gender issues that women experience. The therapist will help women to return home in a healthy and stable way. The woman needs to learn again how to get along with people, how to act, etc. The company of other women can help to heal and repair the woman’s life.
While in rehabilitation, women can experience some of their hardest times and are at the most vulnerable. As a result of the profound psychological damage caused by substance abuse and other abuses, it is common for women to be dual diagnosed.