Women face unique challenges in recovery that men do not. Obstacles women face in recovery can make it harder for them to reach out to start treatment. It can also make it more difficult to maintain their recovery to reach long-term sobriety. You are not alone in your struggle with substance use disorder (SUD). We at Spero Recovery want to help you overcome your addiction and reach the life you want to be living. Reach out today at (303) 351-7888 for more information.
Types of Obstacles Women Face in Recovery
Men and women have different body makeups and factors that can affect their substance use disorder. These differences can include how quickly they become addicted, what substances they are more likely to abuse, and more. According to an article published by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) about gender differences, women:
- Are more likely to relapse and succumb to cravings.
- Can have more physical and psychological effects from alcohol use.
- Don’t seek out treatment as often as men do.
- Develop substance dependence faster. This means when they enter treatment their health is worse off even if they used less than their male counterpart.
- Won’t seek out treatment or leave it before they should care for their children. They could be afraid that if they seek treatment then the children will be taken from them.
- Have the added responsibilities of working, taking care of the home and children, and other duties that can make seeking treatment feel too overwhelming and difficult to do.
- Come to SUD treatment with other co-occurring mental health conditions that can hinder progress if not properly addressed.
- Experience violence from a partner more often, which can lead to SUD or worsen current diagnoses.
Trying to stay above these articles while struggling with SUD and trying to follow your recovery plan can be difficult. It can feel impossible for you to get everything done and see your long-term sobriety future. Seeking out help and finding a program that is specific to women can help you get the support and care you need to be successful.
Benefits of Women-Only Recovery Programs
Women-only programs allow for your gender-specific needs to be met. You can get the support and motivation you need to feel comfortable in your treatment plan. The right program helps ensure that your other responsibilities are taken care of so you can focus on your recovery.
Your recovery program should understand the unique challenges you as a woman are facing trying to juggle the world and help yourself at the same time. Most of the time we put our needs aside to make sure other’s needs are taken care of. This means we can’t drop everything to join a recovery program, especially without help. Spero Recovery can help you get everything taken care of so that you can enter your recovery program without having to worry about the outside world and can focus on your recovery journey.
Spero’s Women-Only Residential Recovery Program
We are a residential recovery facility that offers separate men’s and women’s programs. Our programs are effective and affordable. Through the use of grants and donations, we are able to keep our costs below the national average, while still being able to meet the needs of the individuals participating in all of our programs. This makes us the perfect match for under and uninsured individuals seeking help.
The programs are separated by gender because we understand the different challenges each gender face. Our women’s program, for example, puts a large emphasis on community and working to accept yourself. SUD can lead women to become isolated from society, have lowered self-esteem, and have other mental health conditions that would negatively impact the way they view themself.
We help you look inward to learn from your past, be present in the now, and know what you are striving to become in the future. With the use of different meditation techniques and practice, you will be able to accept yourself and build confidence. These practices can also help you find peace and calm during your recovery. This in turn helps you be able to center yourself around your recovery.
Participating in our experiential treatment sessions, group meetings, and community activities helps you build a connection with others also working to achieve long-term sobriety. Experiential treatment is the use of new activities to help in the recovery process. These activities include sand volleyball, woodworking, hiking, cooking classes, and rock climbing to name a few. They give you time to find peace, release pent-up emotions, and reach out to others in the program.
Alumni lead our experiential treatment sessions as a way to give back to and further connect with their recovery community. Their participation in your treatment can open up a world of benefits for you. They can help you see that success in recovery is possible, keep you motivated, and provide an understanding confidant for you to talk to. You can also get a better perception of what recovery and living a sober lifestyle could look like.
Recovery needs to be tailored to meet the unique needs of the people in it. This means men and women will have different recovery processes and focuses. Women are more likely to succumb to relapse and suffer from other mental health conditions along with substance use disorder. You have gender-unique obstacles to face and finding the right program to help you work through them could mean the difference between success and failure on your recovery journey. If you feel like you are struggling to find the right program for your recovery journey, reach out to Spero Recovery at (303) 351-7888 for more information today. We understand your unique challenges and are here to help.
