Addiction never discriminates. Counselors working in the field know this with certainty. There isn’t a single demographic that is spared from the pernicious grips of this most serious mental health disorder. At the moment, there is no way to predict whose life will be impacted by addiction. But, even if there were, it doesn’t necessarily mean that such knowledge would prevent the disease from taking its course. In this article the focus is women seeking and undergoing treatment for alcoholism. While both sexes are touched by the disease, women tend to seek addiction treatment less often than men. And there are likely many factors to consider when determining the reasons why.

Women are more likely than men to face multiple barriers to accessing substance abuse treatment and are less likely to seek treatment,” says Carla A. Green, Ph.D., M.P.H., a senior investigator at the Center for Health Research. “Women also tend to seek care in mental health or primary care settings rather than in specialized treatment programs, which may contribute to poorer treatment outcomes.”

It’s worth noting that people who fail to learn the principles of recovery will likely have a bleak future. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that mothers, daughters and sisters be encouraged to get the help. Compassionately. Therefore, smashing the wall of stigma that prevents everyone, male or female, from seeking assistance.

One theory as to why women may seek treatment less often than men is that there is a belief that women are supposed to hold it together. There is a stigma that hovers over people suffering from addiction. And there is another surrounding women with alcoholism or addiction. If there is an expectation that women are to be the “rock” of the household, how could they possibly take time to undergo treatment? The reality is that if one’s life becomes unmanageable internally, it will eventually make life chaotic externally.

Drunk With Hope

Who better than a woman in recovery from alcoholism to help encourage other women to reach out for treatment. Such as Tara Handron, who wrote and acts in a one woman play called “Drunk With Hope,” NBC4 reports. The 17-year sober thespian has been traveling the country performing a play about various women with alcoholism. Her goal is to confront the stigma that prevents women with the disease from accessing recovery.

“I think women are judged harsher,” said Handron. “Sometimes when the woman is the mother, the head of the household, there is more pressure to keep it together for everybody.”

She hopes to use her creative talents, along with her own experience with alcoholism to help others. In addition to tackling stigma and encouraging people to seek help, her play aims to show that recovery can be fun. “Drunk With Hope” is just under an hour in length. It has been performed in both jails and black box theaters, reaching people from all walks of life. Please take a moment to watch a short clip of the play:

If you are having trouble watching, please click here.

Gender Specific Addiction Treatment

Co-ed rehab centers have helped countless people break free from the bonds of addiction and lead lives in recovery. But, it’s not a secret that the other sex can be a major distraction in early recovery. One’s mind is already out of focus in early recovery. The result of years of drug and alcohol abuse. It’s paramount that one be free from as many distractions as possible. Allowing you to dedicate yourself to arguably the most important thing you will ever do—recover. What’s more, men and women have unique and specific needs. And clients must be able to identify with their peers as best as possible.

It is for those reasons that we operate an intensive outpatient facility that is gender specific. Perhaps you are considering addiction treatment? If so, then it means that you realize that the path you are on is no longer tenable. Guardian Intensive Outpatient is the perfect environment to start the journey of recovery, or to continue down the path you began at a residential facility. Please contact us today.