There is very little information when it comes to women and addiction recovery. There are so many gender differences in this world, so one would assume that there are differences in addiction recovery. However, few assume that these differences are really distinct. In fact, there are many particular differences in recovery when it comes to women. Some involve the socioeconomic status of women and others involve the way women seek help.
Regardless of the gender differences, women should be aware of certain circumstances that might affect their sobriety. Some of these characteristics might even increase your chances of a successful recovery. However, it is also good to be aware of the things that might increase your chance of relapse.
Socioeconomic state: Few women realize that their socioeconomic state may actually decrease their chances of sobriety. It is a statistical fact that women make less than men and are less likely to find high paying jobs without an education. However, many men can find significantly high paying jobs without an education because they can do the physical labour that a lot of women cannot do.
Many women are either driven to ridiculous low paying jobs or are driven in to the sex industry. And, really when you have a family to provide for, and no financial resources, who can blame them? Either way, both of these life choices can lead to severe substance abuse. If women are unable to get out of this state of living, their chance of recovery is significantly decreased. In fact, with a lack of financial resources, many women are forced to return to their lifestyles after treatment and we all know the importance of a lifestyle change in recovery. In other words, women are a lot less likely to obtain a lifestyle change following treatment.
Women are more likely to respond to private help. The reason being is that women are more in touch with their emotions. If the emotional side of their addiction is not addressed, it is more likely to affect them than it is men (although it is likely to affect men too).
Women are also more likely to seek private help. However, it is more common for women to seek private help when it comes to any kind of psychological issue. Women are more likely to let their emotions affect their sobriety. Their chances of relapse are significantly increased when they have not obtained an emotional sobriety. It is important to remember that private help tends to cost a lot more than other programs. Unless their socioeconomic status changes there is little chance of them being able to seek private help.
Empowering women has become so important in all aspects of life. It is definitely evident in terms of women and addiction recovery. Women need to be empowered or their chances of relapse are significantly increased. It needs to be ensured that women have a chance to seek private help regardless of their economic situation. Resources need to be put in place to make sure that women have an optimal chance at recovery.
Feel free to contact me for a free consultation to see if what I have can help you.
I totally agree with your view, on the recovery status of women with addiction today. The whole structure of after-care should be reassessed to enable people who are attending rehabilitation programs to have the chance to actual re integrate into todays “normal” society.
My husband and I actually have been on the road to recovery together for almost two decades. He was the one who was really interested in going to meetings, not me. However, having someone so close to me going through it at the same time probably was good for me emotionally. Thank you for giving me food for thought!
The treatment of drug and alcohol abuse is certainly a unique process for each individual. We believe that treatment for alcohol abuse in women is always needed as a separate program from the men’s program. It must also be further individualized for success as well.
Thanks for the inclusion, I appreciate it!