ADDICTION TREATMENT THAT SERVES THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF WOMEN

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform.”

-- Diane Mariechild --

After working with women for many years and hearing their stories, common topics would recur when women talked about their past experiences and what led to using substance and continued them to keep using substances. For some women, they had already been through several treatment programs. This created shame and distress that they couldn’t maintain sobriety. Physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, losing their children or the fear of losing them, concerns about maintaining a relationship with partners that often were also using or incarcerated, and lack of resources – no money, no housing, no sober support system in place, lack of education and job skills all were recurrent themes.

Stephanie S. Covingtom, PH.D, L.C.S.W, is the Codirector of the Center For Peace and Justice, http://centerforgenderandjustice.org. In her article Women and Addiction: A Trauma Informed Approach, she defines gender-responsive/women-centered service as “the creation of an environment – through site selection, staff selection, program development, and program content and materials – that reflects an understanding of the realities of women’s and girl’s challenges and strengths”.

In the same article listed above, Dr. Covington also cites Gender Responsive Principles applicable to any setting that serves women. These principles are:

• “Gender: Acknowledge that gender makes a difference.

•  Environment: Create an environment based on safety, respect, and dignity.

•  Relationships: Develop policies, practices, and programs that are relational and promote     healthy connections to children, family, significant others, and the community.

• Services: Address substance abuse, trauma, and mental health issues through comprehensive, integrated, and culturally relevant services.

• Socioeconomic status: Provide women with opportunities to improve their socioeconomic conditions.

• Community: Establish a system of comprehensive and collaborative community services."

It is the care provided through gender-responsive services that provides women with the insight and information that they need in order to incorporate family planning and health maintenance into their recovery plans. In gender-responsive treatment the site must be conducive to treating women, the staff must be sensitive to and trained in the special needs of women, and non judgmental in areas relating to reproductive health and addiction in general. The curriculum must include not just parenting skills, but information about birth control methods. Transportation must be available to access these services. The program must offer insight to the women as to the advantage of postponing pregnancy until sobriety is maintained, and they are stable in a sober lifestyle for an extended period of time.

This is how empowerment occurs for women – moving forward with support through the hard work of recovery, and gaining control over all aspects of their lives which includes successful parenting and the possibility of reuniting with their children.