According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, women are equally as likely as men to become addicted to drugs and alcohol. This fact does not mean men and women experience addiction in the same way, however. Women and men use drugs differently and have individual responses to the substances. Therefore, it makes sense that while receiving treatment for their substance use disorders, a facility with dedicated women’s rehab in Ohio and men’s rehab would be beneficial to focus on overcoming the different obstacles each gender will face during recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, contact Midwest Recovery online or call us at 833.627.0039 today to learn about our individualized women’s rehab programs.
How Does Gender Impact Addiction Treatment?
There is a critical difference in substance abuse and addiction treatment when it comes to the sex of the user and patient. Biological and genetic differences determine sex. Gender differences, on the other hand, are determined by culturally defined roles and how a person views themself.
One prominent example of a sex difference versus a difference of gender can be found in a report from the National Council and Drug Dependence. It is understood that men have higher levels of enzymes that do the work of breaking down alcohol in the stomach and liver than women do. Men, then, do not absorb as much alcohol into the bloodstream as women. This results in blood alcohol concentration levels that will be lower in men than in women.
Effective drug and alcohol addiction treatment should not only be handled by trained and skilled professionals who understand the various impacts sex and gender may have on addiction and treatment. Still, it should also be individualized based on a person’s unique needs. Additionally, the best addiction programs like the ones at Midwest Recovery consider the needs, perspectives, and context of a person’s life. A facility with both women’s rehab programs and men’s rehab treatment plans is best suited to oversee a successful and long-term recovery.
The Benefits of Gender-Specific Addiction Treatment
We know that gender differences exist in rates of drug and alcohol dependence, the choice of substance used and ultimately abused, and how the brain responds to substance use. Studies also show that women and men have different reasons for their use of drugs and that differing circumstances cause relapses. Like the ones at Midwest Recovery, gender-specific addiction treatment programs are sensitive to these issues and, as such, provide a comfortable and supportive environment for people to work through their disorders and begin their recovery.
Just as there are many differences between the ways people of different genders experience addiction, there are also benefits to providing separate treatment. Here are the three of these benefits:
Fewer Distractions
For some, gender, sex, and attraction can cause a distraction in a recovery setting. While in recovery, men and women should focus on their own health and improve their lives to work toward long-term success in recovery. In some cases, for those suffering from substance use disorders, the presence of members of the opposite sex may be a distraction, and that distraction may be a roadblock while in therapy. People already have countless distractions in life and treatment. With dedicated women’s rehab, we eliminate one of them and have seen that treatment is ultimately more effective.
Relatability
A healthy support network is key to successful recovery. With dedicated men’s rehab and women’s rehab, patients are surrounded by peers with a greater capacity for relating to their specific life experiences. As an example, in men’s rehab, a man could express a sense of regret and shame over the damage his substance use disorder has caused in his family life and with his spouse. A men’s rehab and other men in group therapy may provide targeted support by sharing their own life experiences with addiction or offering advice on how to heal those relationships as a partner and dad.
Comfort
Some patients battling their drug and alcohol addiction may not feel comfortable sharing intimate or traumatic experiences in a group therapy setting involving people of different genders. One of the true benefits of women’s rehab, specifically, is that gender-specific addiction treatment can offer an environment that is:
- Comfortable
- Safe
- Welcoming
- Inviting
Finding this comfort level during your treatment will encourage a person to be open, vulnerable, and honest with themselves, their therapist, and peers in the group. When a patient is comfortable, the healing process and addiction treatment can be more effective and successful.
Learn More at Midwest Recovery
If you or someone you love needs a women’s rehab in Ohio, learn how Midwest Recovery’s gender-specific addiction treatment programs can help foster growth, build trust, and make you comfortable. Contact us using our secure online form or call us at 833.627.0039 today.
