Addictions research over the past decade has clearly identified unique characteristics of substance involved women and

their patterns of abuse. Specifically, several studies report that women are more likely than men to abuse prescription drugs, and more likely to abuse multiple substances. Women are more likely than men to come from families where one or more members are also addicted to drugs or alcohol and are more likely to attribute the cause of substance abuse to genetic predisposition, family history, or environmental stress than men. Further research indicates that addicted women have a history of over responsibility in their families of origin, and reportedly have experienced more disruption in their families than their male counterparts. Addicted women are also more likely than addicted men to be in relationships with drug-abusing partners or spouses and to identify relationship problems as a cause for their substance abuse. In addition to interpersonal stressors, addicted women are more likely to experience affective disorders, whereas addicted men are more likely to engage in sociopathic and/or criminal behavior. Although many addicted women support their habits through prostitution or petty larceny, addicted men are more likely to rely on robbery, con games, and burglary to support their substance abuse. Moreover, addicted women are more likely to express negative feelings about their bodies than men, and as such are at greater risk for developing eating disorders. Additional research indicates that female addicts are also more likely to have attempted suicide than male addicts. Addicted women in general have been found to have lower expectations for their lives than male addicts, and have less education, fewer marketable skills, and fewer work experiences. Medically speaking, women who abuse drugs have been found to get sicker quicker, and suffer higher levels of liver problems, hypertension, anemia, and gastrointestinal disorders than male drug users. Currently, drug abuse accounts for a greater percentage of AIDS/HIV cases in women than in men. Women also experience gender-specific medical problems as a result of their addiction such as a higher risk for infertility, vaginal infections, repeat miscarriages, and premature delivery. Research has identified another commonality among female substance abusers: a history of physical and/or sexual abuse or trauma. Women reportedly begin abusing drugs or alcohol after a specific traumatic event, and research indicates that as many as 70% of women in substance abuse treatment have histories of physical or sexual abuse. Additionally, women who have forgotten or repressed memories of traumatic events experience significant increases in drug or alcohol use when such memories reemerge. Research indicates that women with severe PTSD are more likely to relapse than those with less acute symptoms. A study involving a sample of women reporting three re-experiencing symptoms ( flashbacks, memories of trauma, and nightmares)

at intake were four times more likely to relapse within six months of concluding treatment for co-occurring substance use/PTSD than women reporting only one reexperiencing symptom. Women are reportedly more likely than men to abuse drugs and alcohol in private, such as at home, while men are more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol in a social setting, such as a party or a bar. Addicted women often characterize themselves as having few or no friends and a limited social network, while men are more likely to have many social opportunities to use drugs. These behavior patterns may reflect societys tolerance of male substance use and the greater social stigma attached to female substance abusers. A substance-dependent woman is seen as more serious, more wrong, and more deviant, as she has transgressed against the general social norms of being a good woman. The major concern is that the female addict will not be able to live up to her role as nurturer and caretaker, and if she decides to, her decision to bear more children is often deemed irresponsible. Addicted women therefore apply these stereotypes and social norms to themselves and react to their problem of abuse with guilt and shame. The combination of skills, knowledge that are needed in this group is psychotherapeutic and coping skills-training techniques with abstinence-based addiction counseling. The primary goals of treatment are to enhance and sustain patient motivation for change, establish and maintain abstinence from all psychoactive drugs, and foster development of (nonchemical) coping and problem solving skills to thwart and ultimately eliminate impulses to "self-medicate" with psychoactive drugs. The approach combines cognitive-behavioral, motivational, and insight-oriented techniques according to each client's individual needs. The therapeutic style is empathic, client centered, and flexible. Strong emphasis is placed on developing a good working alliance with the client to prevent premature dropout and as a vehicle for promoting therapeutic change. The counselor attempts to work with and through rather than against a client's resistance to change. Aggressive confrontation of denial, the hallmark of traditional addiction counseling, is seen as counterproductive and antithetical to this approach. Group and individual counseling are delivered within the context of a structured yet flexible multistage outpatient treatment program that also includes psychoeducation (PE) for both the primary client and his or her family supervised urine testing to encourage and verify abstinence and, where indicated, pharmacotherapy for coexisting psychiatric disorders. Patient participation in self-help is encouraged but not mandated, and accepting the identity of addict or alcoholic is not required. Another skill that counselor should have is to enhance the client's motivation for change, teach the client how to break the addictive cycle and establish total abstinence from all mood-altering drugs, teach the client adaptive coping and problem solving skills required to maintain abstinence over the long term and to support and guide the client through troublespots and setbacks that might otherwise lead to relapse. Screening and assessment are important aspects for the consideration of treatment for women with substance use disorders. In order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and determine successful treatment, it is essential to understand the nature

and extent of the womans substance use and its interaction with other areas of her life. Screening is typically a brief process for identifying whether certain conditions may exist and asking questions in order to determine if a more thorough evaluation and referral is needed. In addition to drug and alcohol screening, there is also screening for co-occurring risks, conditions, or disorders. These include general mental disorders, eating disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, risk of doing harm to self or others, and history of childhood trauma or interpersonal violence. Assessment, on the other hand, involves a detailed examination of several areas in the womans life in order to diagnose substance use disorders and the possible presence of co-occurring disorders. Assessment is an ongoing process, during which the counselor forms a better picture over time of the clients issues, how they can best be addressed, and her progress during treatment. Assessment processes should also include explore the womans strengths, coping styles, and available support systems. Assessment also requires a thorough health assessment and medical exam. In both screening and assessment of women with substance use and/or cooccurring disorders, the affirmation of cultural relevance and strength is important. Counselors should be sensitive to the womens cultural beliefs and values, acculturation level, language, level of literacy, and emotional ability to respond. This helps facilitate the assessment process and engage the women in treatment. Women's treatment programs deal with unique, addiction related needs in a woman-centered environment, allowing the patient to feel safe as she works through the pain of addiction. Sometimes, women who are drug addicts or alcoholics have been victims of sexual trauma or abuse. "Women reportedly begin abusing drugs or alcohol after a specific traumatic event, and research indicates that as many as 70% of women in substance abuse treatment have histories of physical or sexual abuse" Sadly, the rates of women entering addiction treatment, staying in treatment, and completing treatment are far lower than those for men. The primary goal of women's addiction treatment is to provide a safe and comfortable haven where women can focus on the process of healing and recovery. Because traditional co-ed treatment facilities are designed to treat both men and women, some women may not feel comfortable in them. They might not fully participate in the treatment program and/or discharge themselves early before recovery can occur. Sometimes, therapists unfamiliar with gender specific issues can unknowingly victimize women patients with aggressive therapeutic approaches or sexual harassment. Women reportedly begin abusing drugs or alcohol after a specific traumatic event, and research indicates that as many as 70% of women in substance abuse treatment have histories of physical or sexual abuse.

A drug rehab for women can provide a safe place to detox your body while nurturing your mind, body, and spirit without the distraction of men. Often women addicts are used to unhealthy relationships with men. In a womens treatment program, the distraction of potential male/female relationships is removed. Furthermore, women who are addicts are likely to be involved in relationships with drug or alcohol abusing men. Entering an alcohol and drug rehab for women could offer the best chance for addiction recovery. There are many issues that relate to women, addiction, and recovery that need specific attention such as body image, eating disorders, life fulfillment and potential, and motherhood. Women also become addicted more quickly than men and get sicker faster than their male counterparts. They tend not to have the familial support at home during the treatment process and issues related to childcare can seem monumental. Sadly, women may want and seek help but they may be at risk of losing their children to state foster care programs. Without the appropriate support in the treatment program, such women are at risk of leaving treatment too early. High quality women's addiction treatment focuses on building a woman's selfesteem, empowering her with the support and self-confidence she needs to achieve long-term recovery. Alcohol and drug rehab for women allow primary gender related issues to be handled in individual or group therapy with other women, but may utilize co-ed meetings for other services. Sensitive issues are not exposed in a co-ed group thus maintaining emotional safety and security for the recovering women. In a women's addiction treatment program, women who are battling addictions can bond with each other in a way rarely experienced in a conventional treatment program. This unique level of trust builds: A sense of community and understanding Trust, compassion, and honesty Open and honest talk about women's issues and experiences Life-long friendships

Oftentimes, women in alcohol and drug rehabs for women learn for the first time how to have a supportive, nurturing relationship with other women. That in turn, increases their own ability to listen and empathize, or to share negative thoughts that if kept secret will cause a relapse. Sometimes in a drug rehab for women a woman can find her voice for the first time, helping her to define who she is, what she wants, what she likes and dislikes, without the approval or judgment of a man. References: www. recoveryconnection.org psycnet.apa.org/journals/pro/.../843.pdf book: Foundations of Addictions Counseling, 2nd edition, Capuzzi and Stauffer