Men and women can both struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol, requiring professional treatment to help them get clean. There are plenty of treatment options available, and you may have noticed that some treatment centers offer separate rehab for women and men. Is this type of gender-specific treatment really necessary? While many women find success in co-ed addiction treatment programs, many others struggle with relapse after completing one of these programs. In these cases, treatment at a women’s rehab center may make all the difference in a lasting recovery.
Three Benefits of Enrolling in Rehab for Women
Support for Mothers and Expectant Mothers
Women who are pregnant or have young children may be afraid to get addiction treatment because they think they will lose custody of their children or get into legal trouble. They may also worry about being judged for using substances while pregnant or caring for young children.
Mothers and expectant mothers struggling with substance use disorder need:
- Assurance they will not lose their children if they admit they have a problem
- Treatment that considers the unborn child
- Assistance with childcare and parenting
By choosing a women’s rehab center, these women will receive non-judgmental care and support to help them heal from substance use disorder. Many of these programs for women also offer prenatal care and assistance with childcare. The goal is to break down the barriers that keep women from getting the help they need.
A Safe, Comfortable Environment
Most treatment centers try to present a welcoming and comfortable environment for their clients. Very often, this is even more of a priority in a women’s rehab center. Women thrive in treatment when they feel safe and comforted. The treatment atmosphere can make a difference in their comfort levels.
Women dealing with trauma and addiction need:
- A soothing atmosphere where they feel safe
- A caring, compassionate team of treatment professionals
- Trauma-informed therapy to regain confidence and personal power
The environment is a key reason for choosing a women’s rehab program. You may notice that women’s treatment centers are designed to look more like a home environment with cozy seating areas and soft, warm color schemes. Staff members at a women’s rehab center are more likely to be trauma-informed since many women struggling with addiction also suffer from trauma or domestic violence. Women in treatment programs need to feel safe in the environment and comfortable sharing to get the most out of the program.
Focused Treatment for Women’s Recovery Needs
During co-ed programs, topics of discussion in a group therapy program may be more general, so they apply to all or most of the group members. While the information covered may be beneficial overall, it does not always address the most relevant issues for women.
Women trying to overcome substance abuse need:
- Coping skills that help them deal with the stress of working, raising children, and maintaining a home
- Self-empowerment to get out of bad situations such as abusive relationships
- Cultivation of a healthy self-image that is not dependent on the expectations of others
To this end, gender-specific treatment for women allows more time to be spent on the issues that matter most to women as they try to recover from addiction. However, in a women’s rehab program, therapies can be catered specifically to meet the needs of women in recovery. You will get more out of each session and will likely gain more useful coping skills to practice outside of the center.
Find Rehab for Women for Your Best Chance at Lasting Recovery
If you have been frustrated with addiction treatment in the past or you have been hesitant to get help, it is time to try rehab for women. Gender-specific treatment can be more effective for many women struggling with addiction since you receive more targeted treatment designed for your needs. Reach out to your local addiction treatment center to ask about specialized women’s rehab programs.