The Value of Gender-Specific Addiction Programs
Substance abuse is a problem that extends to people of all ages, cultures, genders, and backgrounds. However, research suggests that men and women experience drug and alcohol addiction differently. Not only do they have different biological responses and co-morbid factors, but they also have separate reasons for turning to drugs and alcohol in the first place. Given these differences, men and women often fare best in gender-specific recovery programs.
Biological and Psychological Factors
Research suggests men and women have different brain chemistry. For example, women may be more sensitive than men to the rewarding and reinforcing effects of drugs. These physiological differences may help explain why women become addicted to a drug more quickly than men.
Women also have different predisposing risk factors, psychological disorders, and family and social risk factors than men. Trauma caused by sexual, physical, or emotional abuse is extremely common among female users and can lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, shame, guilt, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Women who have experienced trauma often struggle with trust and interpersonal skills, which makes them highly sensitive to group dynamics and interactions with men. For women, addiction and trauma are often inter-related, so an effective substance abuse treatment approach has to address all of these issues at once.
"Sometimes men and women have different therapeutic needs," explains Heather Schnoebelen, MA, the clinical manager of the women-only track at Four Circles Recovery Center, an addictions, substance abuse, and co-occurring mental health disorders treatment program for young adults ages 18 to 28. "For example, the underlying reasons for a woman's substance abuse problem may stem from past sexual abuse, trauma, depression, or other co-occurring mental health issues, which will require different emotional supports than a young man struggling with anger management or defiance. Separating men and women helps each group deal with their issues head-on, without any distractions or uneasiness."
The co-morbid mental health and emotional issues that commonly go along with drug and alcohol addiction are different in men and women as well. Women suffer from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, and suicidal tendencies more than men. Nearly twice as many women than men are affected by a depressive disorder, and women report experiencing anxiety disorders and attempting suicide about twice as often as men. In addition, more than 90 percent of people in the U.S. who have eating disorders are young women. Based on these inherent biological, social, and psychological differences, men and women often thrive in gender-specific treatment groups.
Group Dynamics
According to a number of studies, women are more likely to complete treatment and experience a higher rate of recovery in women-only addiction treatment programs as compared to mixed-gender programs. Part of the reason may be that traditional mixed-gender groups tend to have more male patients, which can result in group therapy sessions that are specifically tailored to men. In male-dominated groups, women are more likely to yield when interrupted and keep their thoughts to themselves.
"At Four Circles, four times a week, female therapists who specialize in women's issues provide educational sessions, group therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy to our female clients," says Jack Kline MS, LPC, NCC, Executive Director of Four Circles Recovery Center. "All-female support groups provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental environment for women to share their stories, fears, struggles, and life lessons with other women who have walked in their shoes. We offer a unique setting for young women to begin exploring who they are, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually."
Gender-specific treatment groups also help patients discuss highly sensitive and personal issues that are unique to their gender. Unlike men, women do best in environments that allow them to connect with other women in a cohesive social network. In female-only groups, women can concentrate on their own needs without worrying about social approval and the welfare of others. They feel safe to discuss topics and memories that are uncomfortable to disclose in a co-ed group.
"Women's groups tend to be more supportive, less confrontational, grounded in women's experiences, and focused on empowerment and women's strengths," explains Schnoebelen. "At Four Circles, our women-only support groups address issues specific to women, with added emphasis on self-esteem, body image, positive social behaviors, eating disorders, depression, self-care, trauma work, healthy relationships, and positive peer connections. In an emotionally secure environment, young women challenge their beliefs about themselves in order to grow into the women they want to be."
Research shows that men and women recover from their addictions differently and relapse under different circumstances than men. When patients are separated by gender, men learn about recovery from other men, and women begin to focus on building a lasting sobriety with the help of other women. Women are more likely to relapse as a result of interpersonal problems than men are, and are less likely to relapse when they are alone. With all of these differences permeating every stage of the recovery process, treatment of drug and alcohol addiction is most effective when it treats men and women separately.
Gender-Specific Treatment Options
Tremendous progress is being made in the area of substance abuse treatment. More and more programs are offering "gender-specific" services to better address some of these issues unique to women's recovery. Four Circles Recovery Center, a clinical program for the treatment of substance abuse disorders and co-occurring issues for young adults aged 18 to 28, recently introduced a women-only track. Through a combination of wilderness therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, structural family therapy, 12-step meetings, service projects, art therapy, sweat lodge ceremonies, martial arts, horticulture, and a ropes course, Four Circles takes a holistic approach to treating the whole person.
"This new track presents a life-changing experience for women facing drug and alcohol addiction," says Kline. "We have a high retention rate and our clients are really getting results. For the first time, these young ladies are learning what it means to truly take care of themselves."
Wilderness expeditions are a critical component of the Four Circles program, teaching men and women primitive skills, teamwork, natural consequences, and other valuable lessons. While the men's groups spend at least half of their time in the wilderness for periods up to two weeks, women's groups venture out roughly 40 percent of the time for periods of two to seven days, returning to base more frequently to discuss their experiences, take care of health and hygiene needs, and prepare for the next stage of treatment.
"Four Circles is unique in its specialization," says Kline. "We focus solely on substance abuse and co-occurring issues rather than generic mental health issues, and our population is limited to young adults aged 18 to 28 rather than adolescents. Our therapeutic approach includes both traditional and wilderness therapy. This unique combination helps women learn to adapt to change by transitioning from rugged wilderness life to the regular routine of life at base, where they must follow rules, get along with roommates, negotiate boundaries, and apply their wilderness skills in a real-life setting. The balance between traditional clinical therapy and experiential wilderness learning is the true benefit of a hybrid model like ours."
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse Addiction, men and women with substance abuse problems require different prevention and treatment approaches. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, recovery programs that offer gender-specific tracks for men and women may provide the greatest chance for success.
Four Circles Recovery Center is an innovative addictions, substance abuse and co-occuring mental health disorders treatment program for young adults ages 18-28 that combines a traditional counseling setting with extensive wilderness experiences. Four Circles employs the most effective, cutting-edge clinical modalities with an underlying traditional 12-step philosophy to create the foundation for sustained recovery. Four Circles takes the best of traditional substance abuse treatment and wilderness therapy to create a uniquely powerful program that facilitates a sustained recovery. The pristine wilderness allows you to connect with the most essential and basic elements of self – allowing you to then rebuild your life through the transformational power of nature. The dual use of traditional counseling and experiential wilderness therapy allows participants to explore their issues, have access to powerful therapeutic tools, and begin a journey toward healthy self-expression and success.
Resources for Parents of Teens with Drug and Alcohol Issues
Since 1991, NorthStar's mission has been to facilitate recovery from substance abuse/dependence and self-defeating behaviors so that young adults can achieve their educational and life goals. NorthStar’s experienced staff knows that young adults usually overestimate their ability to reintegrate into the community after an effective primary or wilderness intervention. At NorthStar, they emphasize teaching skills to manage recovery and independent living and gradually introduce the student to the freedom they desire and help them learn from the challenges this presents. NorthStar offers a strong aftercare component to assist young adults to continue on the path of recovery. At NorthStar, young adults who have completed a primary treatment program can work on deepening their understanding of sobriety while learning and practicing the skills to live an independent, sober, healthy and successful life.
Parents of Teen Drug Addicts and Alcoholics Tell Other Parents What NOT To Do
By the time their children enter treatment for substance abuse, most parents have been through a long nightmare of constant worry and heartache. What went wrong? What do parents regret the most? In long interviews with a dozen or so counselors who work in therapeutic boarding schools and wilderness programs, there were some answers. Although each family’s situation is unique, nevertheless certain themes keep reoccurring. Read real advice from real parents.
Topics:
Drug Rehab
Addiction Treatment Centers
Substance Abuse Treatment
Recovery Programs