In recovering from substance abuse disorders, women tend to face unique challenges that men do not. Women's increasing integration in spheres that were previously dominated by men has meant that they have been exposed to the same stresses that cause men to become substance abusers. Unfortunately, this reality hasn't resulted in increased recognition of several facts surrounding female addiction.

The special challenges women face with substance abuse disorders

  • null
Because of their smaller size and lower weight, addictions tend to take hold more quickly in women, using smaller amounts of drugs than men. Research is suggesting that the female sex hormone estrogen may also play a role in making women more susceptible.
Most traditional drug recovery therapies are also designed for male biology. Studies have only recently begun into their efficacy and effects on women.
  • null
When women successfully complete a course of drug rehabilitation they are in greater danger of relapsing into substance abuse again because of their biology. It is believed that hormonal differences between men and women may cause this.
Additionally, several societal factors (which are discussed in greater detail below) may cause women to be more susceptible to returning to drugs as comfort.
  • null
Women suffer more damage to structures in their brains than men during substance abuse. Their cardio-pulmonary system is more severely compromised as well.
They can also expect more debilitating liver and kidney damage due to the drugs staying longer in the female system than men's
  • null
Many studies have shown that women are more prone to depression and anxiety than men and tend to self-medicate with legal and illegal drugs.
They also tend to self-medicate in this manner when they are victims of domestic violence, rape, and psychological/verbal abuse.
  • null
When men are recovering from substance abuse, they can often rely on the women in their families to provide the necessary support and encouragement.
It is not the same for women. As the primary caregivers in the family unit, women are often left to support themselves through the recovery process. This happens even though it has been shown with the correct support, they are likely to make quicker recoveries than men.
  • null
Because women are society's primary caregivers, they are often seen as having "let their families down" if they become addicted to drugs, an issue men do not face.
The resulting guilt and shame make them reluctant to seek help even if they know they need it.
  • null
Women are also more likely to earn less than men and have less access to employment than men, especially if they are low or unskilled.
This relative poverty when compared to men makes them unable to access several services if and when they do decide to access help. For example, women are often responsible for child-rearing and many struggling with substance abuse cannot afford to have someone take care of their children for them.  

Why empowerment of women is important during recovery

Given all the factors above, it can be seen why the empowerment of women is important if they are to recover fully from substance abuse and resume their normal lives.
The recognition of the addiction as a problem and the inability to help oneself is key in the recovery process and rehab can help with this. Beyond this, empowerment must happen on several levels. But first of all, what is empowerment?
Empowerment is enabling the person struggling with substance abuse to rejoin society, without leaning on the drug as a crutch or the rehabilitation system for support. Women need different things for this empowerment.

The types of empowerment women need in recovery

Women need to be economically empowered so that they can support themselves and their families through the recovery process. Therefore, a rehabilitation program that supports women's economic empowerment will assist them in finding work suitable to their circumstances. It will assist them with finding childcare.
Outside of economic support, women may find themselves needing legal support. They may live with an abuser who is also dependent on a substance and they may be finding it difficult or may not know how to access legal protection or shelter in a halfway house. They may also need help protecting their children from removal by the State as they seek help for their substance.
A very important type of empowerment that underlies all of these others the empowerment of self. As seen above, many women turn to substances in an effort to deal with abuse and trauma. The best rehabilitation programs understand this and work on bolstering the woman's sense of self as a vital part of her recovery.
Women attempting to free themselves from substance abuse also need to be empowered with skills that can help them find suitable employment or allow them to employ themselves. Thus, they need help learning interview skills, how to do a resume, and basic job and communication skills.
Alternatively, if they have a skill that they can start a business with, they can be empowered by being taught basic bookkeeping, money, and business management as well as being given access to business funding.
Perhaps most importantly, women struggling with substance abuse need to be provided with that sense of community they often lack. A good rehabilitation program will provide them with a community of women in similar circumstances who are also trying to become better.
As they gain confidence in their sobriety, they are given the tools to build supportive, healthier communities outside of the rehabilitation environment. If this is successful, it can form the seeds of the activities that replace the rehab environment and reintegrate the recovered substance abuser to regular life.
Women face challenges peculiar to their sex when coming to recovering from addiction. This is why there should be a focus on empowerment during their recovery, as they are affected by substance abuse in ways men are not.

WRITTEN BY

Daria Brown