Women are traditionally viewed as the caregivers of the family. They put the well-being of others above their own and do whatever it takes to ensure their family is taken care of. However, this can be a major source of stress and anxiety. Some women turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of coping and trying to relax or forget about their problems for a while. What starts out as occasional use can quickly transpire into addiction or alcoholism.
Seeking addiction treatment is essential for helping women to regain control of their lives and create a sustainable future in recovery. There are many ways that family members can help the women in their lives be more open to entering treatment and caring for themselves.
Find a gender-responsive treatment program: Women face different challenges than men when it comes to addiction. The triggers are different, and they don’t always respond the same way to the same approaches to treatment. Gender-responsive programs focus on the unique issues that women face and surround them with others who are facing similar problems. Women are able to connect with one another and share a common bond. The care they receive is tailored specifically to their needs as women. Encourage your loved one to enter a gender-responsive program that is designed to address the challenges women face in overcoming addiction.
Provide support at home: Women are often concerned about leaving their family. They are typically in charge of caring for children, overseeing cooking and cleaning, and taking up other tasks. Family members can step up and take a greater role in these responsibilities, letting their loved one know that things will be taken care of in their absence. Women can feel better about taking time away for treatment because they know things at home will be fine. In addition, Crossroads offers a Children and Mothers Program where women can engage in treatment while pregnant or after giving birth and can bring young children with them to rehab. There are special programs and childcare for children while mothers are receiving care. Being able to keep their children close can be very attractive to women when considering addiction rehab.
Encourage making health a priority: In order to take the best care of their family, women must first care for themselves. Family members can let their loved ones know that they are concerned about their health and well-being and want to see them get better. Remind them that it’s okay to take time out to care for themselves and their health should be a priority. Be supportive of their decision to put themselves first for once and get the help they need to overcome addiction. Let them know that you will stand beside them every step of the way.
Hold an intervention: If you’re having trouble figuring out what to say, or your loved one is not responsive to efforts to get them into treatment, consider holding an intervention. An intervention specialist will help you to design a very structured and focused meeting to explain why you want your family member to enter treatment and then give them the option to do so immediately.
Crossroads understands the challenges and obstacles women face when it comes to addiction recovery. We work with women to develop individualized treatment plans that align with their unique needs and goals. All programs are gender-responsive and led by highly trained therapists and staff members. Not only are residential care and a program for mothers and children available, but we also have outpatient programs and address dual diagnosis. If you’re looking for quality, effective treatment for your wife, mother, daughter, sister, partner, or another female in your life, consider the services available at Crossroads.
[cta]Is there a woman in your life who could benefit from addiction treatment? Contact Crossroads today to learn about our gender-responsive treatment programs. [/cta]
