Call Us Now (844) 508-0979How to Choose a Women’s Rehab Program
Deciding to attend addiction treatment is the most important choice you will ever make. However, finding the right rehab program for your individual needs can be difficult.
Gender-specific rehab programs take some of this stress away by providing highly-focused, gender-specific addiction treatment. Men and women abuse drugs differently and struggle with addiction for varying reasons, so men and women can both benefit from gender-specific care. If you have decided to attend a women-only rehab program, half of the work is already done.
While choosing to attend a women’s treatment facility limits the number of programs to choose from, there are still some things to consider. Unfortunately, not every treatment program is created equal. As a result, it is important to consider a few vital aspects of quality treatment before making a final decision on which women’s rehab program to attend.
The Benefits of Attending a Women’s Addiction Treatment Center
While traditional addiction treatment is effective, attending a gender-specific program can provide you with additional benefits. For example, women’s addiction treatment programs focus on helping women heal from situations that are specific to their gender.
Additional benefits of attending a women’s rehab program include:
- Specialized treatment for gender-specific issues
- Emphasis on trauma-informed care
- Heightened feelings of safety and security during rehab
- Nurturing environments
- Personalized therapy for women’s issues
- An inclusive environment for sexual and gender orientation
- Multidisciplinary treatment approaches
Most women have experienced some form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Attending a women-specific rehab program will provide you with a safe space to heal from past traumas.
Additionally, many women have a history of trauma revolving around men. Going to a rehab program that only takes female patients will prevent you from becoming triggered by unknown men.
Even if you cannot attend a women’s-only program, most addiction treatment centers offer women’s only therapy groups on a weekly or biweekly basis.
Qualities to Look For When Choosing a Women’s Rehab Program
When you are looking for a rehab program to attend, you want to be sure that you are making the right decision. It can be difficult to decipher whether a specific program is reputable or not, especially if you have never attended addiction treatment before.
If you are looking for a women’s treatment program, make sure that the facility has the following qualities.
Trauma-Informed Care
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 80% of women seeking addiction treatment have a history of trauma.[1] This statistic only represents women who were able to seek treatment and report their trauma. The numbers could be significantly higher.
With that being said, women’s rehab programs must include trauma-informed care. Trauma-informed care works to help individuals heal from past traumas by recognizing the symptoms and acknowledging the role that trauma has played in the individual’s life.
If you attend a women’s-only program that does not include trauma-informed care, you may not recover from some of the leading contributing factors to the development of your substance use disorder.
Qualified Staff
Any rehab program needs to employ qualified staff members. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, nutritionists, and psychiatrists. However, the qualifications for staff members of a treatment program change when it is a gender-specific rehab facility.
The women’s only rehab program you choose should have staff members experienced in treating women-specific issues. Additionally, having doctors and therapists that specialize in women-specific issues is important as well. This will provide you with the most personalized and relevant treatment possible.
A Nurturing Environment
Reputable women’s addiction treatment programs will emphasize the importance of creating a nurturing environment for all of their patients. Most women benefit largely from feeling safe and protected during the early stages of their recovery. This makes it extremely important for women-specific treatment centers to make their facility feel warm, inclusive, and nurturing.
LGBTQ+ Friendly
According to studies, women are more likely to identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. For example, 65% of women reported only being attracted to men, while 90% of men reported only being attracted to women.[2] This shows that women are more likely to be sexually fluid, proving the need for LGBTQ+ inclusive environments in women-specific treatment.
Oftentimes, female members of the LGBTQ+ community face shame, guilt, and even fetishization due to their gender identities or sexual orientations. This is often one of the contributing factors to the development of their substance abuse. Without an LGBTQ+ friendly environment, these issues will only become exacerbated, possibly leading to worsened problems with addiction.
Multidisciplinary Treatment Approaches
Lastly, women’s rehab programs must include a multidisciplinary treatment approach. While many women suffer from similar issues, not all women are the same. Each woman in the program may require different treatments than their peers.
You should look for a women’s treatment program that includes the following treatments:
- Individual and group counseling
- Trauma-informed individual therapy and counseling groups
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Holistic therapy options
- Relapse prevention planning
- Sober living housing
- Services and treatment plans for pregnant women or new moms
Get Connected With a Women’s Addiction Treatment Program
If you or a loved one suffer from addiction, it’s time to consider attending professional treatment.
Addiction Intervention can help you and your family find an accredited drug and alcohol rehab center that fits your unique needs. Contact us today for more information on how to get started.
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