Women face numerous challenges today, including when they struggle with addiction. People expect them to be feminine and delicate. When they have a substance abuse disorder, they get more backlash from society. Why does this happen?
A Double Standard
While men and women both get pushback when they have an addiction, women are judged more harshly by others. They may be labeled bad or immoral for their behavior. People often view them as failures even while saying it is reasonable for men to have a beer or two after work. Ladies may be hesitant to look into treatment options such as Luxury Sober Living in Los Angeles accommodations because they don’t want to be judged.
Opioid Addictions
Today, countless individuals struggle with opioid addiction. In fact, it is one of the most pressing health problems in America, and both men and women are at risk. Men typically overdose more than women when using opioids. However, it appears women are quickly catching up. Over 71,800 women lost their lives to opioids in the past 25 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Impact on Families
Every fatality is a tragedy. However, many people live with an opioid addiction. Every 15 minutes a child who is struggling with opioid withdrawal is born, as reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Neonatal abstinence syndrome remains a real concern today. Foster care resources are stretched thin due to this ongoing problem.
A Higher Risk for Women
Women often struggle with chronic pain and end up taking prescription opioids. They take them for longer periods than men, and often the doses are higher. They become addicted quickly, especially if they suffer from a mental health condition. Many states now heavily regulate opioid prescriptions, so women who were using them may now turn to heroin.
Treatment Barriers
It has been decades since medical professionals began to question treatment options for women with substance abuse disorders. While women have a lower risk of developing an SUD, they become addicted faster than men and find it harder to get treatment. While both sexes often turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate or cope with societal pressure, the treatment experiences differ greatly.
Women who have a substance abuse disorder often have co-morbidities, as reported by the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. They have a much higher incidence rate of sexual abuse and often don’t want to share this abuse in group therapy. They avoid seeking treatment so they can keep their business private. Women also worry about what will happen to their families if they enter a rehab program. Who will care for family members? Will the children be taken? Societal stigma is another barrier to treatment for females today.
Overcoming These Barriers
Women should have the option of taking part in gender-specific addiction treatment, as they feel more comfortable when surrounded by other women. They may also prefer to work with female mental health professionals. These options should be offered to allow more ladies to get help if they have a substance abuse disorder.
Every person can overcome an addiction with the right help. Women have different needs than men, and treatment facilities must recognize this. Those that do can help ladies achieve sobriety, so visit the behavioral health treatment locator map found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website to find a facility for women in this situation.
