Both men and women are susceptible to developing substance use disorders, but mental health issues of this type affect them differently. Gender-specific addiction treatment programs recognize these differences and are customized to consider the emotional, physical, and psychological needs of each gender. Gender-specific addiction treatment programs also remove any distractions that can arise by being around the opposite sex. A women’s detox center can help patients build lasting relationships with their peers in a safe and judgment-free environment.
What Is Gender-Specific Treatment?
When we talk about addiction treatment or detox for women or men only, we’re talking about gender-specific treatment. Gender-specific treatment refers to programs or methods of care that treat women or men separately. For example, in a gender-specific addiction treatment program, patients will all be the same gender, and the program’s staff may also be of that gender.
There are certain fundamental differences, biologically and culturally, between the ways men and women experience substance abuse. Gender differences exist in the choice of substance, how the brain and body respond to substance use, the reason for developing substance misuse, the rates of dependence, and the triggers for relapsing.
Gender-specific treatment programs are sensitive to all of these different issues. They can address the unique needs of each gender in safe, secure, comfortable, and supportive environments.
Are There Detox Centers That Offer Gender-Specific Treatment?
If you’re looking for a women’s detox center in Boston or any other major city in the U.S., you will probably find more than a few options. Drug and alcohol detox centers are easy to find everywhere, even in small or rural towns. However, options like holistic detox centers or gender-specific detox centers are usually in locations where they can serve more patients.
5 Reasons to Get Admitted Into Detox Centers for Women
In a detox center for women, patients will be in a positive setting alongside other women who are working towards addiction recovery. Patients can expect to feel more comfortable in gender-specific detox centers. While female professional counselors are generally utilized for their extensive knowledge, male experts can also specialize in skills that can be useful in women’s detox programs. A women’s detox center offers several benefits.
Specialized Treatment for Women
Did you know that most men attend an addiction treatment facility due to heavy binge drinking or marijuana usage? Women tend to have a higher rate of abusing prescription drugs, such as painkillers. Research shows that more men require extended residential addiction treatment programs, while fewer women require these severe levels of treatment.
At a detox center for women, the staff will be aware of these differences and will be able to give women specialized treatment based on their typical needs. For example, these detox centers may offer medical detox programs focusing on prescription drug abuse.
Fewer Distractions and More Focus on Recovery
For some patients, being around members of the opposite sex can be a distraction. The secluded environment and the presence of other patients can create emotional, mental, or physical sexual tension.
Patients may become attracted to each other or experience the opposite. They may find it challenging to connect and open up during group therapy and other activities. In either case, a patient is distracted by the other gender and may feel more relaxed in a room where only women are present.
Better Foundation for Peer Support and Interaction
A key component to addiction treatment success is how patients thrive among their peers, especially during group therapy. Peer support and interaction may be easier to achieve when all patients have similar life experiences and struggles, which would be more likely in gender-specific programs.
Women face specific challenges that only other women can relate to, which is also true for men. Opening up or listening to others helps patients find the answers within a peer group where they feel comfortable and understood.
More Time and Effort Put into Discussing Women’s Issues
Both men and women have gender-specific issues that brought them into addiction. Furthermore, typical addiction treatment programs spend time and effort discussing every issue that their participants bring up. As a result, they discuss some sensitive matters among those of the same gender. For example, they may be able to discuss issues such as:
- Food and body concerns
- Pregnancy and motherhood
- Undiagnosed mental health issues
- Lack of support in recovery
- Relationships and intimacy
Discussing these issues can support long-term recovery.
More Effective Treatment
A patient who doesn’t feel comfortable being in a room with the opposite gender is less likely to engage with other patients or participate in group activities. As a result, they don’t fully benefit from everything the addiction treatment program offers. They may leave the program feeling left out, dissatisfied, or unready to walk the sober path.
However, a patient who feels a connection with those around them is more likely to participate in everything that’s part of the addiction treatment program. A gender-specific program can prove to be far more effective because it can give patients the ideal environment for them to move forward with treatment cautiously.
Find the Best Gender-Specific Treatment Program for You
Do you find it difficult to open up in situations where members of the opposite sex are around? If so, you may benefit from getting admitted into a gender-specific treatment program.
However, simply being gender-specific is not enough to make an addiction treatment program fit your specific needs. Ask about an addiction treatment facility’s licenses and accreditations, and find out whether or not they can accept your health insurance or other preferred payment methods. Ask about the forms of care that you know you will respond to, whether it’s common, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or something essential for certain types of addiction or diagnoses such as trauma therapy.