NCJ Number
210334
Date Published
2005
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video discusses the challenges facing women in their treatment for addiction to alcohol and drugs and the need for gender-specific treatment programs.
Abstract
Through a panel discussion with experts in the field of addiction and women, this video addresses the issue of women and their addiction to alcohol and drugs and the specific gender-related challenges facing these women on their road to recovery. The challenges identified for addicted women are that of single-parenthood, intimate-partner relationships, and medical or health issues. Alcohol and drugs are typically used by women to self-medicate themselves due to a life-trauma, such as sexual or domestic violence. Several questions were presented to the panel for open discussion and included: (1) why do women need to be treated separately, as a unique entity; (2) when a woman should seek help; (3) does an intimate partner play a role in a woman’s addiction problem; (4) why should a woman be cautious when experiencing drug or alcohol problems; (5) what is the impact on the household, specifically the children of women with addiction problems; (6) what are the effects on children when both parents have addiction problems; (7) what method of treatment is necessary when mental-health related issues are found present along with addiction; (8) how to determine or assess the best treatment plan approach; and (9) how to improve existing treatment approaches and develop new programs to accommodate gender-specific issues? The tailoring of treatment programs that are gender-specific are known to have a higher success rate. However, only about 5 percent of treatment is currently gender-specific.