Drug addiction has become widespread in different parts of the world. Various drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroin comprise of dangerous chemicals that have addictive qualities and can wreak havoc on a person’s mental and physical health. It is not just men, but also women who are vulnerable to drug addiction, especially young girls and even older ones. Research shows that low self-esteem, depression, peer pressure or sexual or other trauma can drive women towards drugs.
There are lots of drug rehabilitation centers that specialize in offering their services to women. These centers provide rehabilitation programs that are centered on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual support of women in order to help them in overcoming their addiction to drugs. These women-only drug rehab programs can work wonders for women as they need a comfortable and relaxing environment where they can bond with others who are undergoing the same process. While the duration and methods of programs vary, most of them are characterized by the same elements outlined below:
Detoxification: This is the process aimed at cleansing the body and removes all toxic residue to prevent the drugs from attacking the immune system. It can often lead to withdrawal symptoms, which are combated by rehabilitation centers in a different way. It is particularly helpful when dealing with meth addiction.
Counseling: This is the second part of a drug rehabilitation program, which helps women in coming to terms with their addiction and the reason behind it. Once this is accomplished, the addict learns coping strategies to live a drug-free lifestyle.
Some of the notable drug rehab programs that are offered to women in most rehabilitation centers include:
Long-term Residential Treatment Program
As the name indicates, this treatment program is for the long-term and lasts for somewhere between 6 to 12 months. You are provided with residential treatment round the clock, usually in a non-hospital setting. This treatment is aimed at developing personal responsibility and accountability amongst the patient and comprises of activities that can often be confrontational. The point is to help you in coming to terms with your beliefs and problems and learning how to interact with others. It is also great for those women who are suffering from mental disorders and other health issues.
Short-term Residential Treatment Program
Relatively brief, yet intensive treatment is offered in a short-term program that typically adopts the 12-step approach. Originally, these programs were designed to combat alcohol abuse, but have been revised to deal with drug addiction problems as well. A 3 to 6 week inpatient hospital-based treatment is offered, which is then followed by outpatient therapy and participation in group counseling sessions. After completing residential treatment programs, enrolling in outpatient ones is essential for preventing the chances of relapse after you give up on the residential setting.
Outpatient Treatment Programs
The intensity and types of services provided in outpatient treatment programs can vary. These programs are cheaper than the residential ones and it is best for women with extended social support or jobs. However, you should bear in mind that the low-intensity programs primarily offer drug education and are only useful in the case of mild drug addiction. Other outpatient models like the intensive day treatment are a better choice for cases of moderate and severe addiction because they are comparable to residential programs in terms of effectiveness and services. Group counseling is a major component of most outpatient treatment programs.
Individualized Drug Counseling
Not only do these programs focus on stopping or reducing illicit drug use, but they are also aimed at addressing other areas of impaired functioning such as illegal activity, employment status, family relations etc. Even though the focus is more on short-term behavior goals, this form of counseling can assist women in developing coping strategies and other tools for abstaining from drug use and maintaining their abstinence in the long term. 12-step participation is encouraged by the counselor and they can provide referrals for any medical or psychiatric services.
Group Counseling
This form of counseling is used by a large number of therapeutic settings because peer discussions can offer a whole lot of social reinforcement and promote drug-free lifestyles. It has been shown through research that when individualized drug counseling and group therapy is offered in conjunction, you can achieve positive outcomes. It is also community friendly, but should be offered with some outpatient program to enable effective treatment.
Some of these drug rehab programs for women are based on the natural and holistic approach whereas others may use the religious route to help you in combating with this fatal problem. It takes time, but it is undoubtedly effective, as long as you follow the rules and don’t quit.