Women’s Rehab Program
Single-sex treatment centers in California have been showing up in increasing numbers as of late. Finding a women’s inpatient treatment center or a women’s rehab program allows a person to take advantage of treatment specifically designed for women. Researchers have found that while men and women may be at the same risk of substance abuse and addiction, the disorder progresses faster in women than men. Moreover, there is a need to focus on the specific needs of women in treatment. Some treatment methods and therapies can affect both men and women to different degrees. However, there are unique factors that apply solely to women trying to recover from substance dependence. These differences go deeper than just the anatomical uniqueness of the sexes and may be due to the way men and women think.
Part of seeing the process to its conclusion comes from a deeper connection to it. Women, in particular, have a much harder time coping with substance abuse because of a combination of internal and societal pressures. Their struggles cover a much more extensive range of emotional and physical trauma. Their sense of self-worth and accomplishment weigh heavily on their choices. If these choices are affected by substance dependence, the outcome can be even direr than for a male. Family dependency and the ability to hold down employment along with the fitness to raise kids all factor into how society sees a woman who is dependent on drugs. These unique challenges need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Society has not been kind to women either. Impossible beauty standards have driven many women to start taking substances to control their weight or lose pounds to seem beautiful. Treatments like these impact those women’s health negatively and might drive them to dependence and addiction to the substance they’re using for weight loss. Because of these specific situations, substance abuse treatments need to be explicitly approached from the perspective of women’s lives. This focus needs to encompass several areas, including social and economic environment, culture, and gender-specific needs. In the most vulnerable situations, women are more at risk than men.
How Inherent Differences Affect Women’s Substance Abuse Treatment
Any student of biology or psychology can freely admit that there is a distinct difference between how men and women think and how their bodies act. As mentioned before, addiction and dependency progress at a much faster rate in women than in men. This rapid progression is due, in part, to biological factors. Physiologically, women metabolize alcohol and drugs slightly differently from men. Women have fewer stomach enzymes and more fatty tissue, making it much harder for the body to absorb these substances. The result is that the drug sticks around in their bodies for longer. This slow uptake rate means they are more exposed to these substances.
Another distinct difference between men and women regarding substance abuse treatment is the cultural stigma associated with substance use. Many women suffer from the stigma of being female and dependent on a drug. In most societies worldwide, women are seen as gatekeepers, caregivers, and the central organizing individual within a family structure. Yet, this only happens when the woman in question isn’t dealing with substance abuse. This traditional outlook on a woman’s role in society makes their addiction scandalous. Many of the women who ended up being dependent on painkillers, for example, were homemakers, looking for something to deal with chronic pain.
In more progressive societies, women are seen less like the traditional caretakers and have professions and ambitions of their own. The flip side of this freedom is that women are more exposed to substances that can take a toll on their lives. As professionals, they are expected to behave similarly to their male colleagues. Occasionally, this leads them to start drinking or doing drugs simply to “fit in.” Regular use of drugs and alcohol increases tolerance. Over time, this increased tolerance requires a woman to drink more or take more of a substance to get the same effects as they did before. The downward spiral starts happening and, before long, her body becomes dependent on the substance. Addiction usually follows when the woman starts making decisions to chase the substance that leads to dire consequences in their lives.
Women’s Patterns of Substance Abuse
Part of cultural pressure for women to be a part of a male-dominated society and workforce is to find their place within the social hierarchy. In all human beings, substance abuse usually progresses from casual use to dependency, and finally, addiction. However, there’s a distinct correlation between stress, relationships, and their propensity to abuse a substance in women. While genetics plays a significant part in whether someone may become addicted to a substance or not, familial connections play a more critical role for women. As family life breaks down, spouses grow distant, and fights break out within a family unit, a woman might seek solace in illicit substances. Several patterns of substance use have been spotted regarding women specifically. Among them are:
- In the past, men outnumbered women in substance use disorder statistics. With society changing and women receiving new personal freedoms, the numbers across both genders seem to be equalizing.
- Women are more likely to be initiated into substance abuse through a significant relationship. Surprisingly, marriage plays a protective role, where having a solid central figure helps to stave off the insecurity that may lead to substance use and abuse.
- Women are more susceptible to peer pressure from significant relationships. Because of this trend, they tend to engage in more risky behavior faster than men. As a result, they have a higher chance of becoming addicted to a substance.
- Women who start using drugs and alcohol at a younger age have a higher chance of becoming addicted. Since young women are the most vulnerable to manipulation, the risk increases if they are outside of a tight-knit family unit.
- Caregiver responsibilities may cause women to alter their substance abuse patterns. The maternal instinct may be a significant factor in motivating someone to quit using a substance or enter a women’s treatment center.
- Women progress from casual use to dependence faster than men.
These trends show a massive difference in how women react to substance abuse. When a woman decides that she wants to leave this situation behind, her family, specifically her children, may play a vital part in her recovery.
The Cost of Drug and Alcohol Rehab
As with most other drug and alcohol rehab treatment facilities, women’s only facilities offer safe, secure treatment for their visitors. However, this safety and security do come with a cost. The cost of a program depends on several factors, including the length of the stay, if it’s a women-only residential treatment center, and if you decide to go with a federally funded program or a private one. The differences in services may relate to cost as well. Luxury rehab services can cost a lot more but offer a massive amount of amenities that can help a person overcome their dependence on a substance.
In some cases, insurance may cover the cost of rehab. Since addiction counts as a medical disease, and it may lead to an individual succumbing to their illness, insurance companies may be willing to foot the bill of a women’s treatment center. The standard drug treatment facility may range drastically between $2,000 and $25,000 monthly. Most people can’t afford to pay these fees, and without insurance, they might be stuck thinking about how to leave their dependence behind. Several facilities offer flexible payment plans that give them an incentive for ensuring their patients recover and reintegrate into society. Flexible financial options form a core part of helping women suffering from substance abuse disorder to find their bearings in the world again.
The Need for a Women’s Inpatient Treatment Center
Women tend to face more barriers in locating treatment for their substance use disorder. Thanks to this issue, and the cultural and societal stigma associated with drug and alcohol abuse, women are less likely to seek treatment. Admitting to oneself that one has a substance abuse problem is a hurdle that many women can’t get over. As a result, they tend to seek treatment in mental health facilities rather than specialized rehab facilities. While these women may be suffering from co-occurring disorders, mental health facilities may not deal with the substance abuse side of their problem. A specialized rehab center for women offers several specific support systems, such as:
Sexual Healthcare
When a woman seeks out illicit substances, it’s not uncommon for her to trade sex for drugs and alcohol. In these cases, it’s possible that she may contract an STI and need specialized treatment for it. Specialized sexual health services deal with these issues, as well as helping women cope with other demanding parts of their sexual health. Support with family planning, hormonal fluctuations, and protection all fall under the broad umbrella of this service
Gender-Specific Therapy
Body image issues are rampant in society, and many women suffer from their ill effects. Many recovery facilities offer same-sex housing and group therapy to help women deal with their self-image problems that may have spurred their substance use. By making the therapy session a women-only group, the facility offers peer support while ensuring the women’s safety and security. Victims of sexual abuse, in particular, would appreciate this detail since they may have latent feelings of anxiety around men as a part of their trauma.
Women also have lower self-esteem than men, which makes it much easier for them to fall into substance abuse habits. As a result, therapies that focus on emotional support, understanding, and empathy tend to work better. As mentioned earlier, women require more of a connection to break their dependence on a substance. These peer groups provide that connection and community that they might need to overcome their addiction.
Childcare
In many cases, women who have a child don’t have access to childcare, making it difficult for them to attend therapy sessions on time. Missing those sessions can lead to despair and drive a woman back towards using a substance. Some facilities provide childcare options for women, letting them bring their kids along and having a safe, secure place to let them explore while they deal with therapy.
Reintegration Training and Workshops
Part of recovery is helping a woman rediscover what she enjoys about society. Sometimes, this may mean relearning old skills or acquiring new ones. Many facilities offer reintegration and training workshops as support modules to help women find their feet in the world around them. These vary in complexity and might span topics relating to childcare to industrial courses. These courses usually feature in residential facilities for women’s recovery.
Women’s Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
There are several iterations of women’s substance abuse treatment programs, such as:
Women’s Only Residential Treatment
Residential treatment centers allow women to get treatment without the distractions of the outside world or the pressures of their lives. A woman in a residential facility stays there and has regular therapy sessions to help them discover the root causes of their urges and addictions.
Outpatient Treatment Facilities
These facilities cater to women who want to retain a bit of freedom while still dealing with their dependence. Therapy sessions happen regularly, and women are expected to attend. These facilities may not be ideal for women who don’t have reliable transport to get to their treatment.
Choosing the Right Women’s Treatment Center
There are several options for drug rehab for women in California, but choosing the right one means looking at what each offer. Circle of Hope is a dedicated facility, helping women recover from their substance abuse problems successfully for many years. Our trained professionals represent some of the most competent experts in the field. We provide medical support as well as counseling services for each of our patients. We’re aware that addiction is a highly personal disorder, and we approach it in that way, with customized treatment for each visitor. Give us a call today to schedule your visit. Let us help you heal.
