Gender Differences in Prescribing Medication for Mental Health

A new report from Medco Health Solutions, a pharmacy benefit manager, illustrates the gender differences that exist when it comes to prescribing medications for mental health conditions. The report compares the utilization of antidepressants, antipsychotics, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs and anti-anxiety treatments from 2001 to 2010 amongst 2.5 million insured Americans. The analysis showed…

Another Growing Epidemic: Newborns Addicted to Painkillers

USA Today is reporting that the number of babies born addicted to prescription drug painkillers is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified America’s fast-growing problem of prescription drug abuse an epidemic. This problem is also affecting our newborn babies, as women abuse powerful narcotics, such as OxyContin and…

Current Research on Women and Substance Abuse

Hazelden recently released a two-page report entitled Women and Substance Abuse (April 2011) through the Butler Center for Research. The Research Update illustrates some of the physiological and psychological differences women experience when it comes to substance use. Physiological Differences The report notes that research has shown us that women differ from men when it…

What ever happened to saving women and children first? | Barbara Dacri’s testimony from 5/11/11

Following is the text of the 2 minute testimony from Barbara Dacri, Crossroads for Women‘s executive director, to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs of the Maine Legislature. Barbara testified on 5/11/11 at the State House in Augusta, Maine in response to the governor’s new change package. The Maine Office of Substance…

Women, Addiction and Prison: An Interview with Dr. Stephanie Covington

Stephanie Covington, Ph.D., author of Hazelden Publishing books, A Woman’s Way Through The Twelve Steps, Women and Addiction: A Gender-Responsive Approach and Beyond Trauma, is currently being featured in the new OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network docu-series, “Breaking Down the Bars,” which premiered on Tuesday, February 15. The original seven-episode series follows the journey women prisoners…