A Woman's Special Challenges
Seeking support to overcome alcoholism, drug addiction, and other addictive disorders is never easy. For both men and women, that generally takes an acknowledgement of the problem and a desire to heal. Ultimately, of course, it also requires a call for help. Much has been studied about why seeking and finding that help can be much more difficult for women than for men.

If you’re a woman looking for the kind of support, if you’re a woman who needs help – or if you know one who does – be assured that you’re not alone. We’re talking about women from all walks of life, from all ethnic backgrounds, from all income groups, women suffering from a wide range of addictive disorders.

Take drug addiction, for example. One study notes that as many as 7 out of 10 women who abuse drugs have been exposed to physical and sexual abuse. There’s also a very real fear factor – the fear of how spouses or boyfriends might react. Women, more than men, fear punishment for illegal activity. And perhaps most importantly for women with children, they fear not being able to take care of children or – worse yet – losing them.

That’s only part of the challenge. Women, it seems, are far more likely than men to report a parental history of alcohol and drug abuse. Those who use drugs or find themselves caught in a web of other addictive behavior often have low self-esteem, little self-confidence, and may feel powerless. In addition, minority women may face additional cultural and language barriers that can affect or hinder their treatment and recovery.

Many of those fears diminish when there’s the help and support of family and friends – and caring professionals in a healing environment. The good news about all of this is that there is, indeed, a lot of help out there. Today, more than ever, a wide range of supportive facilities boast a cadre of sensitive, highly trained staff members who have come to understand and appreciate the special treatment needs of women battling addictions.

Finding Help
The easiest way to find help geared to a woman’s special needs is to call our toll-free Women-Only Help Line at 1-888-268-9247 . (If you’re a man calling on behalf of a woman who needs help, of course you can call as well.) You’ll be connected to a trained specialist who will listen to you, answer any questions you might have about a wide variety of addictive disorders, and provide relevant, real-life responses to your needs. If you like, you’ll be provided with referrals to treatment centers drug and alcohol treatment centers, trained professionals, interventionists, and other important resources.

Call 1-888-268-9247