Columbia University recently reported that women were more likely to develop dependency than men, and the reasons women give for their substance abuse are different from men's reasons. The study further reported that women are more likely to feel guilt and shame associated with their substance abuse than men.
Women's Reasons Differ from Men
In the study, women reported that their reasons for substance abuse were social and psychological and sited depression, loneliness, a lack of a support system and low self esteem, as contributing factors for their substance abuse.
Drug Abuse in Women
The study found that women preferred oxycontin and vicodin as well as marijuana, heroin, ecstasy and cocaine as their drugs of choice. Alcohol abuse was also prevalent in the study among women. There are vast differences in the effects of substance abuse among women. For example, women are more likely to show signs of drug and alcohol addiction earlier than men. Symptoms are more severe in women than they are in men. Women experience more mental health complications from substance abuse than men experience.
Treatment Options for Women
The ability for women to seek treatment for substance abuse has been daunting due to family responsibilities, as well as cultural and social norms. Women have been more likely to put off seeking assistance for their substance abuse due to their responsibilities especially with regard to children. The most common reason why women with substance abuse issues and are mothers will not get the help they need is because they are afraid they will lose their children. Addiction treatments for women hold a shared belief that in women who came from families in which drug and alcohol abuse played a role, there was a significant increase for there to be excessive drug and alcohol abuse. There is also a shared belief that the way in which women started their substance abuse was introduced to them by a spouse or partner.
Counseling strategies in addiction treatment for women focuses on therapy that investigates the individual's past, particularly on events that have the potential to be the cause of the substance abuse. Counseling sessions include individual and couple therapy, especially if substance abuse is prominent in the relationship.
Help is Available
Detox may be the first step for the woman with substance abuse issues to take back control of her life. Detox will remove the toxic chemicals from your system that is the result of your drug and alcohol abuse and may take from a few days to a couple weeks, depending on the type of substance abuse.
Once you have completed detox, you should enroll in a treatment program that can help you stay drug and alcohol free. 12 step programs and non 12 step programs and programs that offer an inpatient or outpatient option.
Since the reason many women do not get the help they need is because they cannot be away from their children, perhaps an outpatient program would be better suited for you. Consider all your options. If you can arrange to enter an inpatient program that can help you stay sober, the long term benefits are that you will be healthier for you and your children.
Gallus Detox Centers offers drug and alcohol detox services in Arizona and Texas. The Gallus Detox Method features IV therapy medical detox that is proven to be safe and effective and has already helped many women regain control of their lives from substance abuse. Call Gallus Medical Detox Centers today and let them help you or your loved one. Call 855-338-6929.
