February 24, 2023

The Benefits of Rehab for Women

rehab for women | Gratitude Lodge

Rehab for women is based on the idea that men and women have different addiction treatment needs due to the cultural and biological differences between them, and the way this influences substance abuse among men and women. 

Gender-specific rehab, whether drug rehab for women or alcohol rehab for women, is highly sensitive to sex-specific issues, providing you with a completely personalized solution to addiction recovery.

Gender is a relevant factor in the analysis and treatment of substance abuse. Where women are more likely to abuse prescription medications, men are more prone to abusing alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine.

The main differences between the sexes when it comes to substance abuse include:

  • Substance of abuse: Women are more likely to abuse prescription medications. Men are more likely to abuse alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine.
  • Reasons for substance abuse: Many women use substances as a means of self-medicating traumatic experiences, or the problems caused by abusive relationships. Men, by contrast, often abuse substances for their perceived benefits – heightened libido or increased self-confidence, for example.
  • Rates of substance dependence: While SAMHSA data indicates that fewer women than men use nearly all types of illicit drugs, research shows that women are just as likely to develop a substance use disorder.
  • Brain’s response to substance abuse: Women metabolize some drugs more slowly than men. Although women typically start using substances at lower doses than men, substance use more rapidly develops into a substance use disorder, and females are at heightened risk of relapse, according to this study.

Rehab for women accounts for the unique needs and perspectives of females seeking addiction treatment, prioritizing vulnerability to addiction and relapse with as few distractions as possible.

an image of women gathered together at a rehab for women

GENDER-SPECIFIC TREATMENT

When you engage with gender-specific treatment, you will get specialized treatment accounting for the differences between males and females addicted to alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs.

While mixed sex addiction treatment programs can be effective, they often fail to address issues unique to women. With a women’s rehab program, you can spend more time on issues pertinent to you.

When you commit to discontinuing substance use and engaging with a treatment program, the fewer distractions you encounter during the process the better. Detox and the early phase of recovery involve turbulent emotions and significant life changes. A single-sex treatment center allows you to focus on your self-improvement without extra complications.

During group therapy sessions – a core component of addiction treatment – a single-sex setting allows everyone to participate more freely, sharing life experiences with those who are more likely to have first-hand experience of those issues.

With women facing more risk of relapse during recovery, the powerful peer support available in a women’s rehab center can help you to stay strong in the face of stress or temptation.

To summarize, here are ten key benefits of rehab for women:

  1. Safe and secure setting.
  2. Nurturing environment.
  3. Comfort and community during detox and recovery.
  4. Relatability with others in recovery.
  5. Ability to be vulnerable without fear of judgment.
  6. Access to female therapists.
  7. Opportunity to address co-existing conditions.
  8. Sharp focus on female-specific issues.
  9. Multidisciplinary approach to treatment.
  10. Readymade sober support network.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A DRUG REHAB FOR WOMEN

If you choose to kickstart your recovery at a women’s rehab, you’ll first need to choose from the following levels of treatment intensity

  • OP: A traditional outpatient program offers a few hours of weekly therapy sessions in a single-sex environment, ideal for females with mild addictions and stable home environments.
  • IOP: An intensive outpatient program offers more support and structure for women seeking addiction treatment with up to 15 hours of weekly therapy sessions in an outpatient setting.
  • PHP: Partial hospitalization programs are the most intensive form of outpatient treatment, providing up to 35 hours of therapy sessions each week in a female-only environment.
  • Virtual rehab: For women unable or unwilling to access an addiction treatment center, virtual rehab provides therapy sessions via online video conferencing platforms, broadening access to treatment.
  • Inpatient rehab: The most intensive form of treatment, inpatient rehab is also known as residential rehab. For women with severe addictions, dual diagnosis (addiction with co-occurring mental health disorder), or unstable home environments, inpatient treatment provides a safe and secure background for detox and recovery.

Regardless of the treatment intensity that best fits your needs, you will have access to the same array of evidence-based interventions at women’s rehab.

Alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder respond favorably to MAT (medication-assisted treatment) with FDA-approved medications. These medications reduce the intensity of cravings and withdrawal symptoms, during detox and throughout ongoing treatment. MAT is most effective if delivered alongside psychotherapy.

You can also expect access to the following therapies in women’s rehab: 

  • Individual counseling
  • Group counseling
  • Psychotherapy – talk therapies such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and DBT (dialectical behavior therapy)
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Trauma-informed care

To supplement evidence-based treatment, most women’s rehabs will provide access to a variety of holistic therapies, including:

  • Mindfulness
  • Meditation
  • Yoga
  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Nutrition
  • Fitness
  • Outdoor activities

You may find that many of these activities are beneficial during your ongoing recovery after rehab.

For women who have problems in their closest relationships, family therapy provides a safe setting with a neutral third-party to facilitate communication and conflict management. 

By choosing a women’s rehab center, you can commit to your recovery in the most appropriate environment and address the physical and psychological component of addiction.

an image of a women in a counseling session at a rehab for women

DUAL DIAGNOSIS

When a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder co-occur, this is known as a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis.

The substance use disorder may involve any of the following substances:

  • Alcohol
  • Prescription medications
  • Cocaine
  • Meth
  • Marijuana
  • Heroin

The most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders in the context of co-occurring disorder are:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Major depressive disorder
  • PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia

Anxiety and depression affect more women than men, rendering females especially susceptible to dual diagnosis.

Dual diagnosis rehab for women allows you to address the volatile emotions that accompany addiction and mental health conditions in a safe and secure setting.

Research consistently shows that integrated treatment of dual diagnosis is more effective than dealing with each condition separately.

FINDING A DRUG OR ALCOHOL REHAB FOR WOMEN

If you feel that a drug or alcohol rehab for women offers you the strongest chance of recovery without relapse, you have made the first crucial decision.

You may find that friends, family, or healthcare providers can recommend suitable gender-specific treatment facilities.

Alternatively, an online search for “women’s rehab near me” should generate plenty of appropriate single-sex rehabs in your location. 

To shortcut the process, consider attending rehab for women in California here at Gratitude Lodge.

GRATITUDE LODGE’S REHAB IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Here at Gratitude Lodge, we have three locations in California – at Newport BeachLong Beach, and San Diego – providing luxury inpatient rehab for addictions and mental health disorders.

Choose Gratitude Lodge and build a strong foundation for recovery surrounded by like-minded women undergoing similar experiences with no distractions, no stigma, and no triggers for substance abuse.

For those with a dual diagnosis, we offer integrated treatment, allowing you to tackle both conditions at the same time.

Access evidence-based treatments, holistic therapies, and a 12-step immersion program here at Gratitude Lodge and start moving from active addiction into ongoing recovery.

Get help right away at our rehab for women by reaching out to admissions today at 888-861-1658.

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Joe Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore has been working in the addiction industry for half a decade and has been writing about addiction and substance abuse treatment during that time. He has experience working for facilities all across the country. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.
Jenni Bussi

Jenni Busse MS, LPCC

Jenni Busse MS, LPSS is the Clinical Director at Gratitude Lodge. Jenni oversees the clinical program and the clinical team at Gratitude Lodge as a whole. Jenni has worked in treatment for almost 14 years. Her background as a licensed therapist and her passion for helping others intersected with addiction recovery when she started working primarily in detox residential treatment.

Drug detox can vary according to the patient’s addiction factors, including the substance abused, how long the addiction has lasted, the patient’s medical condition, if any other disorders are present, and more. Our skilled and credentialed team at Gratitude Lodge work closely with every patient going through drug detox, facilitating the beginnings of a successful recovery at our rehab addiction centers in Orange County, CA.

Drug detox can vary according to the patient’s addiction factors, including the substance abused, how long the addiction has lasted, the patient’s medical condition, if any other disorders are present, and more. Our skilled and credentialed team at Gratitude Lodge work closely with every patient going through drug detox.

Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body. Alcohol detox at the luxurious rehab addiction centers at Gratitude Lodge leeches your body of these toxins in preparation for successful treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse. Alcohol detox may not take as long or produce severe withdrawal symptoms, but it is still an essential beginning to your recovery.

Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body. Alcohol detox at the luxurious rehab addiction centers at Gratitude Lodge leeches your body of these toxins in preparation for successful treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse.
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Holistic Therapy

Our holistic therapy treatments offer a full-scope approach to recovery, addressing your mind, body, and emotions as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. This therapy is designed to help address underlying issues and integrate alternative therapies to promote overall health and well-being.
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Psychotherapy

An essential part of your treatment experience, we offer individual (CBT and DBT talk therapy) and group addiction treatment counseling to help you explore and address the emotional component of addiction, providing you with the tools, self-awareness, and empowerment you need to maintain recovery.

Dual Diagnosis

Dual Diagnosis is a highly effective addiction treatment that addresses substance use and mental health disorders simultaneously. Often co-occurring, these disorders are best managed when treated together with specific and targeted therapy.
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Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-Assisted Treatment provides you with FDA-approved medications to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal while you’re in treatment. This makes the detox process easier and safer, as well as increasing the chances of a successful recovery.

Sober Living

Sober living provides a supportive and substance-free living environment for your ongoing recovery. We partner with a number of upscale and carefully vetted sober living homes that are available to our clients after inpatient alcohol and drug addiction treatment.
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Outpatient Treatment

Once detox and inpatient are complete, we provide an easy transition to outpatient care through our hand-selected partners. This program offers a more flexible approach, allowing you to ease back in to daily life while still receiving frequent & effective care.

Inpatient
Treatment

Inpatient treatment provides an intensive and comprehensive addiction treatment program in a structured environment. You will receive 24/7 expert care, therapy, and support as you build your foundation for long-term recovery.

Drug & Alcohol Detox

A crucial first step in the recovery process, our detox program provides a comfortable, medically supervised environment that addresses the physical aspect of addiction and eliminates substances from your body.

Use Our 24 Hour text line. You can ask questions about our program, the admissions process, and more.