Nearly 20 million Americans, ages 12 and older, struggle with substance abuse, and an estimated 8.5 million of that number (nearly half) also have a mental health disorder. Statistically, women are different when it comes to substance abuse. A woman can take a lower dose of a drug over a shorter time period and become addicted, compared to a man. Their physical and psychological reaction can also be different, with more cravings and a higher likelihood of relapse. But, women are also more sensitive and can be adversely affected by drugs much sooner and at a more serious level in relation to effects to the heart. It’s probably not surprising, then, that women are more likely to suffer from overdose and end up in the emergency room. Approximately 5.2% of women have a substance abuse problem.
The idea of a Women’s Only Rehab center is not new to addiction treatment. The push toward a better understanding of how substance abuse affects women can be linked to the women’s rights movement in the 1970s, but there was also a drive to recognize how the care for women with substance abuse problems might be different. It’s tied with the drive to understand what social differences and how employment, family, and health are treated differently (with inequality).
Trauma and other stressors can also contribute to panic attacks, depression, and anxiety. One-in-four women are also affected by domestic violence and abuse, which also puts them at a higher risk of turning to alcohol or drugs for coping. Fear and pain are at the core of the substance abuse experience of many women. The idea behind Women’s only (or gender-sensitive) addiction treatment centers around the considerations of the experience of women is different both from a substance abuse point of view, but also in the process of rehab, addiction treatment and their road to recovery.
Addiction treatment includes many of the same components, but women’s only treatment may focus more heavily on some elements. The goal is to help women work through substance abuse, mental health conditions, as well as other treatment needs. It’s typically a multidisciplinary approach, with a focus on one-and-one support and counseling, mental health treatment, and behavior therapy to address those lifestyle habits and emotional concerns, as well as long-term aftercare support. Women’s only treatment can also incorporate naltrexone to ease cravings, as well as detox, therapy, and social support.
Women face additional obstacles both in the home and in society, which may make them less likely to seek addiction treatment and rehab. Women tend to be the primary care-giver, so they may feel like they can’t take time off to recover. Women are also more likely to have experienced traumatic events that affected them deeply. Among women who are experiencing substance abuse issues, they also deal with anxiety, depression, cravings, and eating disorders. Addiction treatment will affect women differently, but it can take a lot more for a woman to seek help.
The good news is that you’re not alone. There are women’s only programs to meet your specific treatment needs. At Newport Beach Recovery, we’re here to offer targeted addiction treatment and care in Costa Mesa, CA. We’re a gender-specific treatment center, so you can find the care and support you need to face your unique challenges. You can break free from addiction in a relaxing and healing setting with an ocean view.
Starting out on the road of recovery can be filled with challenges. You’ve taken the most important step when you stopped drinking or using drugs but everything in your life is now new. You may be seeking out new friends, starting a new job or developing a new daily routine. All while working hard to prevent having a relapse. Each one of these situations can produce stress. Combined together, you have a recipe for anxious moments. This puts women in early sobriety at greater risk for relapse. It is estimated that 90 percent of those recovering from substance abuse have a relapse. While your primary desire may be to stay sober, even the strongest people must develop skills to prevent relapses and deal with stress. Professionals recommend that you change your social circle and the places you go to. This makes sense when you consider that if you want to create a new path for yourself, you need to leave the old path behind. To help you on your journey, we’ve compiled some tips based on scientific research.
When you are embarking on the journey to discover what recovery means to you, you are essentially creating a new world for yourself. You’re creating new patterns and people in your life. Developing new friendships and changing where you spend your time will play a large role in preventing relapse and smoothing your transition into a new way of life. You may find yourself spending more time with your family by planning special outings or evenings together. For others, developing a structured daily routine helps ease anxiety and helps to avoid situations that could let to a relapse.
When you enter recovery, it may seem like a new world. Having friends who understand the transition you are going through is important. They can help when you are frightened or uncertain. Having a friend to call on when you are angry or down will help keep you moving forward. Participating in a support group surrounds yourself with people who understand the pitfalls that await individuals in early recovery. In fact, people who have enjoyed recovery for many years will share that they still face challenges. Anyone who is new in recovery can learn from their coping strategies and apply them in their own lives.
Periods, often years, of using can take a toll on your body. Incorporating regular exercise into your daily regime will pay off by improving your health and your emotions. Exercise is well documented to relieve stress and balance mood. This supports your desire to constantly improve yourself while preventing triggers that lead to relapse.
Caring for ourselves is not a priority for women. We are raised to nurture others but often don’t nurture ourselves. Things like a luxurious bath or a long walk are generally not things we think about in a fast-paced world. They are, however, exactly the things that will keep you sane as you move through recovery, process raw emotions and figure out your future. Taking care of yourself can relieve stress and anxiety. You can also use these moments to just ‘check in with yourself’ and see how you are doing. Small quiet moments doing things that nurture yourself keeps you in touch with your emotions and makes you aware of any triggers lurking to take you off the right path. Spend some time with self-care because no one else will.
While, at times, you may feel shame or guilt over your past actions, if you allow them to, those emotions will hinder your recovery. One way to progress and work through the emotions that are crowding you is to search for ways to manage swirling thoughts. Professionals recommend writing about your feelings. Getting them on paper gets them out of your head and lets you process.
When you leave female addiction treatment, you’ve already begun recovery. To maintain your new outlook, get a job. Many people leaving treatment will either be unemployed or underemployed. This is a good time to look for a new job. Not only will you have a method of income, but you’ll also meet new people and discover new skills. Take care of yourself, though, as stress related to a new job can trigger a relapse.
As you journey along the path of recovery, prioritizing honesty with yourself and others helps everyone. By sharing your story with others in your support group, you’re sharing the common struggles that you all have.
These are just a few ideas to keep you going in early recovery. You’ll find some strategies work better than others to prevent triggers and keep you sane. The important thing is to keep working at it. You’re worth it!
Call us today to continue on the strong path of recovery. We pride ourselves in always being able to help.