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Barriers to Accessing or Completing Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Women

Women face distinct obstacles when it comes to seeking and/or completing treatment for a substance use disorder. Knowing these obstacles can help raise awareness, reduce the stigma, and hopefully increase solutions.

Women are more likely to be judged harshly. Powerful feelings of shame and guilt deter women from seeking help for addiction, even when their lives depend on it. Women downplay their problem for fear of negative judgment 3 Women are less likely to seek and access treatment if their partner is unsupportive. The stigma attached to SUD can be stronger for women. - even more so for mothers. Women tend to have more family responsibilities than men. Other common barriers to help for women include:  childcare responsibilities lower wages/less income  substance misuse by a partner or other family members fear of losing custody of children lack of access to resources feeling unworthy of help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, please reach out to a PreventEd counselor here, or by calling (314) 962-3456.

 

This particular list of challenges for women seeking or completing treatment for substance use disorder was collected using the information below.

(2011). Women and Addiction, with a Focus on Veterans [Boston University School of Medicine]. VA Boston. 1

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 51. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 13-4426. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2009. 2,4,5

Iliff, B. (2016). Women, Addiction and Recovery: Unique Challenges of Women. Hazelden Betty Ford. 3

Greenfield SF, Back SE, Lawson K, Brady KT. Substance abuse in women. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010 Jun;33(2):339-55. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2010.01.004. PMID: 20385341; PMCID: PMC3124962. 4

Green, C. A., Ph.D., M.P.H. Gender and Use of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. NIH: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 5

“I didn’t know that everyone has risk factors that affect drug use. Now that I do, I’m really trying to incorporate that into my life to keep me on pace and stay away from drugs and drug use.”

Adolescent, 17

“Students in my class have increased their empathy and reduced their angry outbursts.”

Teacher

“I have seen students using the vocabulary, acknowledging peer pressure, and be willing to problem-solve with peer conflicts.”

Teacher

“I am profoundly grateful for your unwavering support and expertise in guiding my child towards recovery. Your dedication and professionalism have been instrumental in this life-changing journey. My child’s newfound sobriety stands as a testament to your remarkable efforts."

Parent of Adolescent

"It was very informative and I learned more about the brain and how it's affected by substances. I'm definitely going to apply what I've learned in my everyday life."

Adolescent, 17

“This program has been so good for my child. He learned a lot. His focus now will be doing better in school and working to save money. Thank you for all the support at a time that I didn’t know how to deal with this.”

Parent of Adolescent

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