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Benefits of Going Through a Women’s Rehab Program

If you are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, the idea of getting treatment can be entirely overwhelming. In fact, it might not even be something that you want to do. However, if you have come to a place in your life where treatment is your next step, it is important to determine what level of care you are going to receive, as well as what kind of program you will participate in. For many women who are addicted to drugs like prescription painkillers, heroin, and tranquilizers, women’s rehab programs can be extremely beneficial.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that in 2014, close to 13% of women in the United States had used illicit drugs within the past year. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that in 2013, every three minutes, one woman was going to the emergency room for prescription painkiller misuse. Women continue to remain at the forefront of addiction, and for a number of reasons, including those pertaining to their gender.

Thankfully, women’s rehab programs exist and can help women who are faced with specific addiction-related challenges as they pertain to their gender.

Reasons Women Become Addicted

Throughout their lives, women often experience adversities based on their gender. And while the drive to equalize women has never been stronger, there are still gender-specific issues that can initiate a woman’s decision to begin abusing drugs and/or alcohol.

Below are some of the most common reasons why women turn to drugs and alcohol:

  • Stress

Topping the list of reasons why women become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol is stress. Women have notoriously been pressured into fitting into every possible situation thrown at them. That means that there is immense pressure to have thriving social, professional, and personal lives, all while making it look easy. Unfortunately, that is not possible in many cases. Consistently chasing down the idea of “having it all” can become so stressful that women turn to the use of substances to take the pressure off. This can become a very slippery slope, as using alcohol and/or drugs to self-medicate a feeling that is constantly present can quickly lead to full-blown addiction.

  • Lack of energy

Women often struggle with exhaustion and sleep deprivation for a number of reasons. For example, young women in college stay up late and forego sleep to study for exams or keep up with the party scene. Other women with children become exhausted in ways they never have before, as they are constantly up at night with their children and doing everything in their power to raise them well. Women are also working more than ever before, all while attempting to maintain a happy marriage. All of the energy required to do this can be very draining, which can lead to a woman turning to drugs that keep her energized throughout the day.

  • Coping with Trauma

Women are more susceptible to experiencing one or more traumatic events within their lifetimes than men. The majority of that trauma comes from sexual or physical abuse, but can also be caused by a plethora of other occurrences. If the trauma surrounding major issues such as these, along with other traumatic incidences like having a miscarriage or experiencing a messy divorce, is not appropriately addressed, they can lead to women abusing alcohol and drugs to cope with the pain.

women's rehab

Benefits of a Women’s Rehab Program

Gender-specific treatment has proven to be a very effective form of treatment for men and women alike. One of the reasons for this is because, as previously stated, men and women experience different triggers for substance abuse. Additionally, women and men also experience active addiction and recovery differently than one another.

A women’s rehab program is going to be tailored to the specific needs of women, which in itself is beneficial. Some additional benefits of going through a women’s rehab program include the following:

  • Comfort

Recovering from addiction is no joke. It takes a tremendous amount of emotional work in order to get to a place where maintaining sobriety can be possible. Sometimes, when women are in the same space as men during recovery, they can be more prone to withholding certain details that contribute to their addiction for fear of being shamed or judged. However, when in a space with other women, patients can feel more comfortable discussing challenging topics.

  • Support

Learning how to live life without the presence of drugs and/or alcohol is challenging, to say the least. Therefore, anytime that there is an opportunity to connect with others to form a strong support system is a significant benefit. Women have the tendency to find ways to relate to others, show compassion, and connect. When going through a women’s rehab program, you will participate in group therapy sessions with other women who will support you while you support them, forming a strong bond that can assist with staying in recovery.

  • Therapy 

Any addiction treatment program is going to offer a variety of different therapies, such as individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. And while those baseline therapies are also included in co-ed rehab programs, other therapies that are more focused on the needs of women in recovery are also available, too. For example, treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common method or care within women’s rehab programs, as many women have suffered traumatic events. Additionally, certain mental health concerns that are most common in women are focused on more, such as anxiety, eating disorders, and depression. Obtaining that laser-focused care can be extremely beneficial in addressing the underlying issues of addiction in women.

Other benefits of attending a women’s rehab program include:

  • Removal of sexual tension, pressure, or temptation
  • Dual diagnosis treatment (as needed)
  • Obtaining gender-specific coping skills
  • Safety and security

Getting Help

If you are a woman who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, know that you are not alone. Millions of women struggle with addiction, as well as co-occurring mental health conditions. But still, the idea of going from using to recovery can be completely frightening. Women’s rehab programs are filled with qualified and experienced professionals who are able to help you feel comfortable throughout your entire treatment journey.

You are not alone, and you do not have to experience this by yourself. Reaching out for treatment can connect you to a support system that can help guide you through, and it can get you in the hands of those who can provide the services you need in order to begin recovery.

If you are ready to get help, make the call today. Do not wait any longer. We can help.

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