Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), women can face many more disorders, concerns, trauma, and other issues when it comes to alcohol and drug addiction.
Due to physiological and psychological makeup, women have a much faster progression to chemical dependency than men do. According to these same studies women with addictions are also more likely to have a co-occurring disorder like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or eating disorders. They are also more likely to have experienced physical or sexual trauma. (Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women)
Similar obstacles are met by women getting appropriate substance abuse treatment. Primarily, most women play a nurturing role in their lives and will put the needs of those they take care of before their own. Studies have also reported that many social constraints or stigma can prevent a woman from seeking appropriate care for addiction problems. The study reported that the societal stigma towards women with addictions is greater than those of men. This leads to the thinking that substance use really isn not a problem and does not need treatment when the opposite is the case.
In spite of these obstacles, this same SAMSHA protocol states that women who enter treatment can and do show a remarkable ability to recover. At Cirque Lodge, it begins with a compassionate individualized approach and a thorough alcohol treatment plan.
