Why are there drug rehab centers for women only and alcohol rehab centers for women only? While many addiction treatment facilities offer traditional programs that accept participants of all genders, some focus specifically on offering gender-specific addiction treatment programs. While rehabs for women only are a reality, rehabs for men only exist as well—and there’s a reason that both options are available.
Substance use disorders affect men and women in different ways. The need for gender-specific treatment is well known in the addiction treatment field. In fact, gender-specific addiction treatment is often the ideal recommendation for patients struggling with a substance use disorder. Men’s and women’s rehab programs can help participants build lasting relationships with their peers in a judgment-free and safe setting. Searching for a drug rehab center for women near Dallas, TX? Contact Santé Center for Healing by reaching out to our team online or calling 866.238.3154.
What Is Gender-Specific Addiction Treatment?
Gender-specific addiction treatment can be a wise choice for clients struggling with any type of substance use disorder. For example, alcohol rehab for women only is particularly sought after because more alcohol addicts are men. Female participants of traditional alcohol addiction treatment programs may feel like it’s not safe to share their thoughts or that their gender-based issues get sidelined during group therapy.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), there are many fundamental differences between the way men and women develop and experience substance abuse. These differences arise in choices of substances, rates of substance dependence, and how the brain responds to substance use. For example, women are more likely than men to report non-medical use of prescription drugs. On the other hand, men are more likely to report alcohol abuse.
For women, there is often an association between substance abuse and abusive relationships or traumatic experiences. Women often turn to alcohol or drugs to escape painful emotions caused by victimization or abuse. It’s possible to effectively discuss and deal with these issues in a gender-specific setting.
What are the Benefits of Choosing a Rehab for Women?
1. Safety and Security
Sometimes, women can develop a substance use disorder because of past sexual abuse or violence. In a traditional addiction treatment program where men can be participants, women may not be able to safely open up about part experiences like this. A women’s rehab program can provide a setting where participants feel safe talking about particularly controversial topics.
This sense of safety is especially important for women struggling with addiction who are also pregnant. Research shows that those in their last few weeks of pregnancy may respond better to treatment in a women’s rehab facility.
2. Comfort and Community
A gender-specific environment can provide women with comfort and community. Not only can they be sure that their peers will understand their gender-based feelings and experiences when they share them during group therapy, but the women-only community can also be nurturing and supportive in a way that a mixed-gender community can’t be.
In a gender-specific setting, clients are more likely to help and support each other. In addition, they more easily form lasting relationships during the recovery process. As a whole, participants of a program like this can create a strong sense of community, which is a key piece of relapse prevention and maintaining sobriety after formal treatment.
3. More Focus on Women’s Issues
When getting admitted into professional addiction treatment programs, women can feel guilty for what can be perceived as abandoning their responsibilities to their families and jobs. There can also be issues like challenges with self-esteem and self-worth lurking beneath the surface of women’s addictive behaviors.
Rehab facilities for women can effectively address these gender-based issues. They also have more time and effort to put toward these issues, as their programs only deal with helping participants of the same gender.
4. Fewer Distractions
Whenever men and women mingle, there’s bound to be some attraction or sexual tension in the room. When participants of an addiction treatment program are all the same gender, though, there are fewer distractions and more focus on recovery.
Ready To Learn More About Santé Center for Healing’s Drug Rehab Center for Women?
If you’re looking for a drug rehab center for women near Dallas, TX, contact Santé Center for Healing today. You can reach out to our team online or call 866.238.3154.
