Rehab Centers That Offer Women’s Only Programs

There are many types of drug and alcohol rehab programs that cater to unique needs. Among these, are specialized programs intended for specific groups of people.

One type of specialized program people choose to pursue is gender-specific treatment. Many addiction treatment centers offer men’s only rehab programs and women’s only rehab programs that are specifically designed to address the challenges and needs of each gender regarding addiction.

Read on to learn more about women’s only treatment including issues commonly addressed, benefits of women’s only programs, and how to choose the right program for you.

Specifically offered for women with substance use disorders (SUDs), women’s only rehab programs provide addiction treatment designed to address the unique needs of women in recovery.

Women’s only treatment programs exclusively allow women to enroll whereas co-ed programs allow both men and women to enroll. While co-ed programs typically separate genders in living quarters, these programs encourage interaction between all participants during group activities and in shared spaces. This may be beneficial for some individuals, but for others, having an all-female environment at all times can make rehab feel much more safe and secure.

While substance misuse affects everyone differently, it’s important to note that between the genders, some key differences can affect treatment, life after rehab, and more.

Here are a few unique challenges women face in rehab:

• Women are more likely to experience cravings related to substance abuse
• Women are more likely to relapse after rehab
• Women are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders which can cause or exacerbate addiction
• Women are more likely to face barriers to accessing rehab
• Women are less likely to seek treatment
• More than one in three women have experienced physical violence from a partner which increases the risk of developing an SUD
• Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are mothers may have a harder time accessing care due to a need for childcare

In addition to substance abuse and addiction, several other issues may need to be addressed for individuals enrolled in a women’s only rehab program. These include mental health issues, trauma, and abuse.

The ways in which women’s only rehab programs approach the issues of substance abuse and addiction may vary slightly, but generally, rehab programs offer treatment for common substance addictions including alcohol, cocaine, heroin, meth, opioids, and prescription drugs.

There are two main types of treatment programs, inpatient and outpatient, both of which vary in length based on your needs. Inpatient treatment is considered the highest level of care in addiction treatment for its round-the-clock care. In order to provide constant care, individuals in inpatient programs must live in a care facility for the duration of their program, which is not always an option, especially for women with children.

That being said, some people choose to pursue outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment is also very effective but only requires participants to travel to a recovery facility several times a week for treatment. This is also a good option for someone whose addiction is not severe. In some cases, women’s-only programs offer childcare as an amenity.

Mental health treatment and dual diagnosis treatment are also commonly offered in women’s rehab programs. As mentioned above, women are more likely to experience certain mental illnesses that can increase their risk of developing a substance addiction.

Generally, mental health conditions can be the root cause of addiction or can exacerbate it, which is why treating these disorders during recovery is so important. Dual diagnosis treatment is an approach that simultaneously treats addiction and co-occurring disorders.

Mental health problems commonly treated with dual diagnosis treatment are anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorders, and bipolar disorder. In women’s only programs, eating disorders may be addressed more commonly as women are at higher risk for developing them.

Another part of addressing mental health during treatment includes treatment for previous trauma or abuse. With such a high percentage of women experiencing violence, there are many women in addiction treatment with trauma or a history of abuse.

These conditions can drive an individual to develop an SUD and without being addressed, they can feed addiction, making it difficult to recover.

Treatment for trauma and abuse can look different for everyone but can involve treatment services such as behavioral therapy, counseling, group therapy, or alternative therapies.

Key components of women’s only rehab can differ from facility to facility, but standard offerings include individual therapy and counseling, group therapy and peer support, family therapy and involvement, and holistic therapies.

Therapy and counseling are two big parts of many recovery programs. They are both often offered in individual and group settings. Here, we’ll take a look at individual services and how they may aid in recovery for women in rehab.

Individual counseling is a treatment service that involves the individual and an addiction specialist or counselor. It’s a designated time to discuss any goals you have in your recovery, obstacles you’re facing, thoughts, feelings, and worries you may be having, and anything else pertaining to your addiction.

Individual therapy, on the other hand, is specifically designed to evaluate thought and behavior patterns related to addiction that may be causing or worsening your SUD. There are many therapy options including behavioral, trauma, and alternative therapies.

On the other side of the coin is group therapy. Group therapy is often offered in addition to individual therapy in addiction recovery as they have different benefits.

Group therapy involves a group of program participants as well as a therapist or addiction specialist. This is a great time to discuss your experiences, achievements, and even fears or failures related to your SUD. Group therapy is unique in that it can help participants feel less alone, bond with one another, and even offer a sense of accountability.

Going hand-in-hand with group therapy is peer support. Peer support can come in many forms, but formal peer support settings can include support groups or group activities in a rehab program. These can be particularly beneficial in forming new friendships and support systems and provide a sense of camaraderie between participants.

Another type of therapy and support you may encounter during a women’s treatment program is family therapy. Family therapy is designed to help the individual with an addiction and their family members work through any problems related to their SUD and help repair familial bonds.

Family therapy takes place between the individual, family members who may be affected by the individual’s addiction, and a therapist or addiction specialist. This can be a great time to discuss how the person’s SUD has affected relationships or family dynamics but it can also help everyone understand one another’s perspectives.

In addition to family therapy, family involvement during addiction recovery can be extremely important. Whether this involves support from your family or your family coming to see you during your treatment, having support from your loved ones can aid your recovery.

Lastly, some women’s only treatment facilities offer holistic or alternative therapy options. These therapy offerings use non-traditional methods to help treat addiction. They are often used in combination with evidence-based treatment methods like medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or psychotherapy.

Holistic therapies can differ from center to center, but some common types of alternative therapies used in addiction treatment include breathwork, acupuncture, yoga therapy, meditation, animal-assisted therapy, art therapy, or music therapy.

You and your healthcare provider may discuss which of these methods may be most beneficial for you, but some people try several different types of alternative therapy to see what works best for them.

Getting treatment for a substance abuse problem can greatly improve an individual’s life in many areas. For women who pursue gender-specific treatment, these benefits can be even greater.

General benefits of addiction treatment can include:

• Improved career/academic life
• Improved relationships
• Reduced risk of death due to substance abuse
• Improved physical health
• New friendships
• Improved mental health
• Reduced risk of overdose
• New, healthy hobbies

As for the benefits of gender-specific treatment, perhaps the most obvious benefit is that women’s only programs offer treatment that focuses on female-specific issues. This includes breaking down commonly faced barriers to care, addressing specific mental illnesses, trauma, and abuse, and focusing on relapse prevention strategies.

Another huge benefit to pursuing gender-specific treatment for women is that it can create a more safe and supportive environment in comparison to co-ed programs. Some women may not feel comfortable sharing their experiences around men or feel safe around men in general based on histories of abuse or trauma. That being said, all-female environments can provide a sense of security during recovery that can make it more effective.

On a similar note, women’s-only programs can provide an enhanced sense of camaraderie and peer support. Being in an all-female treatment environment can make it easier to bond with other participants as they may be able to relate to your unique challenges with addiction. Many women feel more supported in these settings.

Finally, women’s-only programs can lead to higher rates of engagement and retention in treatment. When women feel safe and supported in their treatment environment, they are more likely to open up and engage in treatment, which can make it more effective in the long run.

As noted previously, there are several types of therapy that may be offered in women’s only treatment programs. Let’s take a look at some of the most common therapy types.

Commonly used to treat eating disorders, depression, addiction, and anxiety, CBT is a type of talk therapy commonly used as part of dual diagnosis programs. It focuses on changing behavior and thought patterns that worsen mental health conditions.

During CBT, you’ll learn new coping mechanisms to help challenge and reframe thought patterns or behaviors that you may be stuck in.

Based on CBT, DBT is another form of talk therapy used in dual diagnosis programs. It is typically used in individuals who experience very intense emotions in relation to their mental health conditions. It can treat addiction, anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and PTSD.

The idea with DBT is to work on emotional regulation via self-acceptance and learning how to feel safe when you experience intense emotions.

Trauma-focused therapy is another therapy type commonly seen in women’s treatment programs as women can be more likely to experience trauma.

In addition to the therapy methods listed above, other trauma-focused approaches include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and exposure therapy. Different therapy methods can work better for some individuals, which is why it can take some trial and error to determine what is best for you.

Women’s rehab programs may also offer nutritional therapy and wellness programs.

Nutritional therapy can be used to treat both eating disorders and addiction. The idea is to help individuals understand healthy nutrition and eating habits. Your nutrition can play a large role in your physical and mental health, which can directly influence addiction and recovery.

On the other hand, wellness programs can include a myriad of methods. Wellness programs may look like physical wellness via exercise and fitness activities or spiritual wellness through meditation and breathwork. Both can improve the effectiveness of treatment when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Many women struggle to ask for help when it comes to their substance abuse. Part of this is a fear of judgment and the stigma surrounding addiction and addiction recovery.

Women already face more barriers to care and are less likely to seek treatment, but some women may feel ashamed to seek treatment, especially mothers who feel responsible for putting their children’s needs first.

If a woman in your life is exhibiting signs of substance abuse, it is vital to encourage them to seek treatment promptly. You may choose to hold an intervention with your friends and family members to do so. It’s important to remind your loved one that they are not alone and it’s okay to ask for help. Having information about women’s-only programs on hand can also be helpful during this discussion.

There are a few things you can keep in mind when searching for an alcohol and drug rehab facility to ensure you choose one that is right for you.

Firstly, look for accreditations and well-experienced staff when choosing a recovery center. Accreditations like the Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF) and Joint Commission accreditation can be a good indicator of a reputable rehab center.

Looking for client reviews and testimonials can also be helpful in understanding what the patient experience may be like.

Don’t be afraid to ask treatment facilities questions like:

• Do you offer childcare?
• What certifications and licenses do your staff have?
• What are your visitor restrictions?
• What aftercare support do you offer?
• What is the cost of your treatment program?
• How long is your treatment program?
• Is your program inpatient or outpatient?
• How will my treatment plan be developed?
• Do you allow pets?
• What do your housing arrangements look like? Will I be sharing a room?
• Do you offer gender-specific treatment?
• Do you offer payment plans/scholarships?
• What treatment services do you offer to address women’s needs?

Continuing care and support after completing a recovery program are just as important as treatment itself. For women, aftercare is particularly important as they are more susceptible to cravings and relapse.

Aftercare can look different for everyone but can include regular therapy sessions, moving into sober living, joining a local support group, or continuing alternative therapies on a regular basis. Anything that helps ease the transition back to daily activities can be immensely helpful.

Another important part of aftercare is relapse prevention. Having a strategy for dealing with triggers and stress in a healthy way can help prevent relapse greatly. It’s also important to know how to identify a relapse in yourself or a loved one.

Lastly, having a reliable support system among friends and family is also vital. Knowing you have someone to confide in and lean on during your recovery and after treatment can make all the difference.

Women seeking addiction recovery care may choose to enroll in a women’s-only program for many reasons. In addition to being designed to treat women’s specific needs in rehab, they can also create a much more welcoming environment and make it easier for certain groups of women to access care.

If you or a loved one needs help finding a women’s only rehab program nearby, don’t be afraid to give our helpline a call today for additional guidance.