Drug Rehabilitation

Gender issues are often overlooked in mental health and alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs. However, if the special needs of the woman in recovery are not considered, the likelihood of her prematurely leaving a mental health or alcohol and drug rehabilitation program dramatically increases.

Females struggling with mental illness and addiction are more likely to experience practical problems accessing treatment than their male counterparts. For example, women very often are the primary caretaker of children. This means that logistical and cost issues with child care may cause her to seek alcohol and drug rehabilitation treatment later than her male counterparts. She may also struggle with guilt related to leaving her child or children while she participates in alcohol and drug rehabilitation or mental health treatment. Alcohol and drug rehabilitation or mental health treatment programs that operate during traditional hours may also pose an obstacle for those same reasons.

Emotionally, the woman in recovery is more likely to experience symptoms of depression than her male counterparts. Therefore, assessment for depression is an important aspect in the mental health or alcohol and drug rehabilitation program. Up to half of those men affected by both mental health and addictive conditions have experienced trauma-related histories; upwards of 85% of women with those co-occurring conditions have experienced serious traumas. Failure to assess for and treat trauma related issues in a mental health or alcohol and drug rehabilitation program greatly reduces the potential for progress.

Other issues important in mental health and alcohol and drug rehabilitation for women include: self image, powerlessness, sexism, family of origin issues, relationships, violence, incest, rape, sexuality, recreation, grief and loss, parenting, and life planning.