Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers for Women
Men and women are very different from one another in terms of how their bodies responds to drugs and alcohol. For starters, men have more water in their bodies (approximately 61 percent versus 52 percent), meaning that even if a man and a woman of the same weight consumed the same amount of alcohol, the woman would experience more dramatic effects. Women also have lower levels of the liver enzyme that metabolizes alcohol, meaning the effects they feel from consumption last longer. One drink for a woman is the equivalent of two drinks for a man and the alcohol stays in a woman’s body twice as long as it does in a man’s body. When dealing with addiction, women are more likely to become seriously addicted to a substance more quickly than men. Drug and alcohol treatment for women is a chance to for women to get the help they need in a setting that caters to the unique needs of women.
Why Do Women Need Drug and Alcohol Treatment?
When dealing with addiction, there are several psychological issues unique to women that must be addressed in treatment. Women are more likely to suffer from body dysmorphia and turn to drugs or alcohol to alleviate these feelings. Some may suffer from low self-esteem and use illicit substances to encourage more outgoing behaviors. In addition, women are more likely to begin using drugs or alcohol if their significant other is using. Research shows that women who live with a partner who is dependent on alcohol are likely to become dependent themselves; men, conversely, are more likely to leave a partner who is dependent on alcohol. Women are also more likely to experience drug- or alcohol-related spousal violence.
How Can Women Get Help from a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center?
Because women suffer from addiction differently than men, there are women-only treatment centers for drug and alcohol addictions. Women-only drug and alcohol programs deal with the specific nature of addiction in women, recognizing that their bodies respond to substances very differently from men. The on-site counselors are trained in crisis management and dealing with issues that afflict women uniquely, like physical and sexual assault.
Women may also feel more comfortable sharing their experiences and concerns with other women who may have experienced similar things.
Getting Help for Women
If you know a woman who needs addiction treatment help, contact us today at our toll-free number. Our trained counselors can answer any questions you might have and find a treatment program that fits your loved one’s needs.
