Women's Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment

If you use the popular media as your guide to addiction, you'll easily be led to believe that all addicts are men, and that all male addicts become aggressive and violent. Depending on which study you believe and how you define addiction, though, between 10% and 25% of women struggle with addiction at some point, and almost half of all addicts are women. Women who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction may feel isolated, ashamed, and profoundly depressed. Many women need drug treatment. The right treatment program offers hope not only for sobriety, but for a better, more fulfilling, and more enriched life.

What You Need to Know About Women's Addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction is a disease just like cancer or diabetes. But because the symptoms are visible only in your behavior, and not in the form of a blood test or visible rash, it's easy to write addiction off as a personal choice. Indeed, some addicts delay treatment for years because they're so addled with shame that they can't admit to themselves to to anyone else that they need help. Beating yourself up over your addiction does nothing to help you get closer to the life you want and deserve. And even if you're convinced you're unworthy of treatment or a failure, your addiction harms those around you; blaming yourself for it only allows you addiction to continue to hurt the people you love the most.

So how, exactly, can something that seems like a choice actually be a disease? Addiction fundamentally changes your brain. It begins with your first use of addictive substances. When you're drunk or high, pleasure centers in your brain are activated, encouraging you to continue using and abusing substances. If you have a stressful life, a genetic predisposition to addiction, or simply continue abusing substances for long enough, your body begins changing the way it reacts to your drug of choice. This process is known as dependence. As your body becomes dependent, you need more and more of the drug to get the same results. Eventually, you may not get high at all, or may get a high that's much less pleasurable. This is when addiction begins, though, because at this point your body is dependent on the drug, which means you're stuck using it just to feel normal.

Anyone can become an addict at any time, since addiction is essentially just the biological reaction to prolonged substance use and abuse. Some people, though, are more susceptible to the temptation of drugs and alcohol, more likely to continue prolonged use of substances, and more apt to quickly become addicted. Some risk factors that increase your likelihood of becoming an addict include:

• A family history of addiction. This is due to both genetics and to the things you learned about addiction from your family. If your parents turned to alcohol to cope with stress, for instance, you're more likely to do the same yourself.
• A history of trauma or abuse. More than a third of women have experienced some type of abuse, making them particularly vulnerable to addiction.
• A stressful life or environment. If you're in a bad relationship, living in poverty, facing career troubles, or parenting a special needs child, you're more vulnerable to addiction.
• A history of mental illness; about half of all addicts also have a mental illness.
• A history of physical illness or chronic pain; it's possible to accidentally become addicted to painkillers and other drugs, and some addicts turn to alcohol and illicit substances to cope with the challenges of illness.
• A prior history of addiction; once you're an addict, you're vulnerable to developing additional addictions.
• The specific drug you use - some drugs are more addictive than others. For instance, it takes much less time and effort to become addicted to heroin than it does to develop a marijuana addiction.

Addiction Treatment for Women: Is It Different?

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard a lot of hyperbolic claims about how different men and women are. But men and women aren't from different planets. Instead, it's more like they're from different schools. They're similar in more ways than they're different, but they've also been taught different lessons about how to act, how to succeed, and how to live. Unfortunately for women, much of this "education" makes them more vulnerable to addiction, and makes addiction worse for women than it is for men. Seeking drug treatment may be necessary.

Many women are raised believing they should be loving, nurturing, beautiful caregivers at all times. The pressure to conform to this unrealistic standard can be overwhelming. When real women can't live up to the mythic standard, they may adopt unhealthy coping mechanisms. For example, one study found that more than half of women had disordered relationships with food.

Some women opt to cope with the challenges of these endless pressures by turning to drugs or alcohol. Others turn to drugs or alcohol to promote weight-loss or to make friends. The problem is that women tend to have smaller frames than men, with slower metabolisms. This means that women get addicted more quickly, suffer more serious addiction consequences, and are more vulnerable to overdose. Further, because we live in a society that demands perfection from women, women can struggle to find support to overcome their addictions. The unique risk factors women face for addiction include, but are by no means limited to:

• Rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and street harassment. Between 10% and 25% of women have been raped, with a third of women experiencing domestic violence, and more than 80% of women experiencing street harassment; these stressful, traumatic experiences make women more vulnerable to addiction.
• The so-called "beauty myth". Women naturally have more body fat than men, but our society teaches women that fat is unattractive. The quest to be dangerously skinny can lead to drug and alcohol abuse. And more than 90% of women report being insecure about their appearance, making them vulnerable to escapist pursuits, including addiction.
• Women are the primary caregivers to their children much more frequently than men, and the stress of parenthood can be overwhelming. Moreover, working women often face a "second shift" of childcare after coming home, leading to intense exhaustion.
• Women's biology means they face a veritably cornucopia of issues that men do not. Drug abuse can lead to miscarriage and serious birth defects, while alcohol abuse during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Likewise, drug and alcohol abuse among women can disrupt the menstrual cycle, leading to painful or absent periods, excessive blood loss during menstruation, anemia, and a host of other health conditions.
• A society where women often feel less valued than men. Research consistently shows that women are paid less than men for the same work, that employers are more likely to hire men than women, that men are more likely to be listened to at workplace meetings, and that women who speak up are often dismissed as rude and needlessly aggressive. This stress, coupled with the pressure to conform to the ways women are "supposed" to act can render women more vulnerable to addiction, in addition to making it more difficult for women to recover from addiction than men.

The Addiction-Mental Health Connection

Substance abuse is itself a mental illness, which means that if you abuse drugs or alcohol, you have a mental illness. However, excluding substance abuse, about half of all addicts have an additional mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. These conditions compound the struggles of addiction in a number of ways. First, a mental illness makes you more vulnerable to addiction, since you may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with the challenges of your mental illness. Second, mental illness can undermine your judgment, making it difficult for you to accept that your use of drugs or alcohol is unhealthy. Third, treatments for some mental health conditions can become addictive. For instance, Klonopin, which is commonly used to treat anxiety, has a high rate of addiction. And finally, substance abuse can actually cause or worsen mental illness by changing your brain chemistry or causing so much life stress that you develop psychologically unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Although anyone can suffer from mental health issues, women are more likely to develop some mental health issues than men. More women than men have depression, for example, and women are also more vulnerable to anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Thus many women who face addiction may need additional help to cope with mental health issues. Getting clean isn't enough; if you don't treat the underlying mental illness, your addiction may return in no time at all. Getting the right alcohol or drug treatment is very important.

The first step toward treating mental illness is recognizing that you have a mental health condition. Some common mental illnesses, as well as their symptoms, include:

Depression

• Unexplained feelings of sadness, grief, or unhappiness
• Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Unexplained anger, procrastination, or loss of motivation
• Hopelessness
• Inability to enjoy time with loved ones
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns; some people with depression feel chronically exhausted. Others are unable to sleep.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Restlessness and fidgetiness
• Difficulty listening to others
• Difficulty planning your time or keeping your commitments
• Difficulty concentrating
• Anger
• Depression
• Chronic messiness and disorganization

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Free-floating anxiety that is chronic and not tied to any specific source of anxiety
• Physical anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Restlessness
• Difficulty sleeping

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by a traumatic event - such as a rape, domestic violence, natural disaster, life-threatening car accident, or military combat - and the following symptoms:

• Recurrent, intrusive memories - known as flashbacks - of the trauma
• Avoidance of things that remind you of the trauma
• Difficulty controlling your moods
• Anxiety and depression
• Anger
• Nightmares

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

• Chronic anxiety
• Obsessive thoughts related tot he anxiety
• Compulsive behaviors designed to alleviate the anxiety; for example, you might wash your hands eight times to alleviate your fear of getting sick. People with OCD often count things, are obsessed with cleanliness, or preoccupied with control and order.

Eating Disorders in Women

Mental health professionals now recognize three distinct eating disorders. Binge eating disorder is characterized by periods of time during which you eat large quantities of food. For instance, you might eat two boxes of Oreos. Bulimia is characterized by binging coupled with purging, usually by vomiting or through the use of laxatives. Anorexia is the result of self-starvation, and often coincides with compulsive and excessive exercise.

Do I Have an Addiction and Do I Need Drug Addiction Treatment?

One of the most troubling aspects of addiction is that it undermines your judgment. No one can think clearly when under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and cravings can further diminish your judgment, even when you're not hight. This makes it tough for many addicts to see what is obvious to outsiders - the addiction is controlling their lives. Rehab is available for women! Alcohol and drug rehabs, like Northpoint, recognize what women need in inpatient treatment and aftercare.

If you're wondering whether you have an addiction to drugs or alcohol, the truth is that you probably do. But if you're still not sure, consider the ways your substance use affects your life. A hallmark of addiction is continuing to use a substance despite suffering serious negative consequences. If you continue drinking even after getting a DUI or you insist on smoking marijuana even though you're pregnant, you're likely an addict. Still not sure? Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes to three or more, you very likely have a problem with addiction and my need drug treatment:

• Do you lie to loved ones, or to yourself, about your use of drugs and alcohol?
• Have you broken the law to get drugs or alcohol, or been arrested because of your substance use?
• Do you lie to your doctor about your substance use?
• Do you abuse prescription drugs by doctor shopping, exaggerating your symptoms, or using a friend's prescription?
• Do you have a family history of addiction?
• Do you find yourself preoccupied with thoughts of drugs or alcohol?
• Do you dread giving up alcohol or drugs?
• Do you use alcohol or drugs to feel "normal"?
• Have you experienced financial problems, such as difficulty paying your bills, because of drugs or alcohol?
• Have loved ones asked you to seek help for your addiction?
• Do you use drugs or alcohol when driving or operating heavy machinery?
• Do you ignore things that you used to enjoy in favor of using drugs or alcohol?
• Have you neglected your children or your spouse because of drugs or alcohol?
• Do you feel hopeless about your ability to quit?
• Have drugs or alcohol caused health problems?
• Do you steal from loved ones to pay for or get access to drugs or alcohol?

Alcohol and drug addiction is a progressive illness that does not get better with time or go away on its own. If you, like many women, need help with drug or alcohol dependence, help is available, and the best time to pursue help is today. Drug rehab is an option! Don't wait till tomorrow, when life may be worse and your addiction may escalate further out of control.

Drug Addiction & Drug Treatment Options for Women

For many women struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, rehab is the best option because it removes them from a stressful life, freeing them up to concentrate fully and doggedly on their recovery. For this reason, rehab is the gold standard in treatment, and if previous methods have failed, it's your best option for lasting recovery. Most rehab centers offer the following services, but you can also pursue these on your own. If you opt for a more independent-minded approach, keep in mind that the more support you have, the more likely you are to recover. Thus, pairing therapy with a 12-step program, for example, is more likely to be effective than pursuing just the 12-step program.

Getting the Support You Need

No two women are exactly alike, but many women share one trait in common: a tendency to provide care to others - children, husbands, aging parents, pets, needy friends, etc. If you're a caregiver by nature, you may struggle to get the support you need to fully recover. Strong support, though, is a key predictor of long-term recovery.

Talking to Loved Ones

Before you can expect to get the support you need, you'll have to come clean about your addiction. If you have children, don't lie, but avoid giving age-inappropriate information. Instead, give them a basic overview of addiction, reassure them that things will get better, and then answer any questions in an age-appropriate way. What about talking to other loved ones? Follow these tips:

• Provide educational materials about addiction that highlight its role as a disease, not a personal choice.
• Offer specific ideas about what the other person can do to help.
• Avoid answering needlessly personal questions you don't want to address.
• Don't get sucked into defending yourself; if the other person attacks you, stop engaging with them.
• Be prepared to apologize for the way your addiction has harmed your loved one. If you're not sure if your addiction has hurt others be open to asking and listening.

Setting Clear Boundaries

Many women struggle to set clear boundaries, worrying that by doing so they're abandoning loved ones or not fulfilling their obligations. You absolutely have a right to your boundaries, and setting clear boundaries is a key ingredient in the recipe for lasting sobriety. Consider the following potential boundaries:

• Steer clear of other addicts, and ask your loved ones to avoid using potentially addictive substances around you.
• Ask your loved ones not to bring up your addiction until you do.
• Learn to say "no" when people make unreasonable requests of you.
• Solicit more help from your family and spouse; you shouldn't be stuck doing it all on your own.
• Don't feel obligated to take every call or return every email. You are entitled to your personal time, and those people who don't respect this are impediments to getting better.

Reducing Stress

Stress is the single biggest predictor of relapse. Of course, a bit of stress by no means suggests you have to relapse. But if you don't find healthy ways to manage your stress, your risk of relapsing becomes infinitely greater. Try some of the following ideas to reduce your stress:

• Ask for help. Women often feel obligated to do everything, making them reluctant to seek help. Insist that your spouse does his fair share, and encourage your kids to become responsible household members by taking on more chores.
• Do something that makes you happy each and every day.
• Don't feel obligated to get everything done. Instead, set clear priorities and reasonable goals.
• Call a friend or your sponsor when you feel overwhelmed.
• Spend at least an hour by yourself each day.

Lifestyle Remedies for Addiction

Addiction may be a disease, but that doesn't mean a healthy lifestyle won't help treat it! Consider, for example, the difference a healthy diet and exercise regimen can make for someone struggling with heart disease. Of course, a few lifestyle changes here and there won't cure your addiction, but they can certainly make the journey to recovery an easier one. If you're ready to do everything you can to maximize your odds of recovering, try several of the following options (note: these are not a replacement for professional drug rehab):

• Get moving! 150 minutes of exercise per week will help you stay healthy, make it easier to detox, and help you ward off the depression that so frequently coincides with quitting drugs and alcohol.
• Ditch your drug addiction in favor of a healthier addiction. Take up painting or art; learn a new instrument. Take those voice lessons you've always wanted to try. Staying busy reduces your risk of relapse, boosts your ability to manage stress, and dramatically increases your chances of a healthy long-term recovery.
• Create and stick to a daily schedule. When life is predictable, relapse is much less likely. Moreover, planning your time can help you achieve your goals, in addition to saving you from the stress and misery of over-scheduling yourself.
• Remember that recovery requires time, so plan accordingly. Consider taking time off of work if you can, or getting your spouse to help with your kids. Addiction is a disease, and just as you might need some extra time and space to recover from surgery, so too will you need time to recover from your addiction.
• Tell friends and family that you're quitting drugs, and ask them for their help. If there are specific things they can do to aid your recovery process, don't be afraid to ask.
• Avoid contact with other addicts, and with places that you historically went to when abusing drugs.
• Enlist the assistance of a sponsor - someone farther along in their recovery journey upon whom you can call when the going gets rough.
• Get at least eight hours of sleep each night, and go to bed at the same time each evening.
• Meditate when you experience a craving. Research has repeatedly shown that medication has the power to actually change brain chemistry, making your odds of recovery much greater.
• Remind yourself that drug cravings are a normal part of the recovery process and that, if you can ride out cravings, they quickly go away.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Drugs can undermine your nutritional well-being, and healthy foods can help you combat cravings.
• Do everything you can to create a comfortable, nurturing, and supportive home life. Abusive relationships, unsupportive partners, or other addicts with whom you live can all undermine your ability to remain clean and sober for the long haul.
• Treat your newfound sobriety as the beginning of a new life, rather than as a painful challenge. When you view sobriety as miserable tedium, you're more likely to fail than if you embrace a better, healthier life with open arms.

Understanding the Recovery Journey

No matter your political leanings, sociocultural background, philosophy on addiction, or personal goals, one things is absolutely true: the recovery journey may be the hardest adventure you ever embark on. But sobriety is absolutely, undeniably worth it. Sobriety is not something that happens in an instant, with a single decision. Instead, it's a series of decisions. Your sobriety journey, then, will continue in some ways for the rest of your life.

The first few weeks are inevitably the hardest, particularly when you're dealing with cravings and detox. After you finish withdrawal, though, the journey gets much easier. By this time, your cravings won't feel like one long, endless nightmare, but instead will be discrete moments. Most cravings only last for about 10 minutes at this point. If you can ride out these cravings, then you'll be addiction-free in no time at all.

You may have heard from well-meaning friends and loved ones that you'll always have cravings. This, though, is simply not true. Cravings do last much longer than you might like, but they also get much less severe over time. Every time you ignore a craving, you master the art of resisting temptation, thus getting one step closer to overcoming your addiction for good. Eventually, you'll face down all of your triggers for use, causing your cravings to completely disappear.

The amount of time this takes varies, though many addiction specialists say it takes about a year. The reason for this is simple: in a given year, you're likely to experience most of your triggers - the holiday season, family visits, money stress, etc. For some people, cravings last longer, and a select few are able to feel better more quickly. No matter where you fall on this continuum, though, know that withdrawal is the worst part of the process; from there, things only get better, and you'll feel almost normal in a matter of weeks. The cravings you feel in those first few days will be gone sooner than you think. And the cravings that remain for that first year or so are much less awful than those initial detox pangs.

About 40% to 60% of addicts relapse, so it's vitally important to never use again, no matter what. Your history as an addict makes you more vulnerable to developing a subsequent addiction, so you'll need to carefully monitor your substance use for the rest of your life. If you do relapse, though, know the journey is not over. Indeed, many addiction experts argue that relapse is part of the recovery process, since relapsing gives you a chance to learn more about your triggers for use while implementing new coping strategies.

Whether you're quitting for the first time or the twentieth, this really can be the time you get clean forever. By admitting you have a problem and reaching for help, you make a bold and courageous first step toward a better life. A year from now, you may not think about drugs or alcohol at all, but you must be willing to take those first steps toward wellness. You may choose to seek program for detox, drug rehab or something else. You can do it, and the right drug treatment program can help.