Are single sex treatment programs any better than coed treatment programs? Generally speaking, there seems to be a shift in thinking and changes in program delivery in the mental health and substance abuse treatment world. It now commonly accepted that for successful treatment to occur, treatment needs to be tailored to the unique needs of an individual.
Joseph A. Califano, Jr., chairman of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University states: "With some exceptions the substance abuse prevention programs have really been designed with a unisex, one-size-fits-both-sexes mentality. We now know that females are different than males - let's recognize it and let's help them."
Califano Jr., said facilities like the Betty Ford Center, which now has separate treatment programs for men and women, may be the model for future success. Califano said more treatment centers need to give female recovering addicts "a chance to be with just women," adding that substance abusers who were victims of physical abuse may not respond well to a group with men.
There is widely publicized research that suggests that men and women experience drug and alcohol addiction differently. Not only do they have different biological responses and co-morbid factors, but they also have separate reasons for turning to drugs and alcohol in the first place. Given these differences, men and women often fare best in gender-specific recovery programs. Lets look at two primary differences.
Biological and Psychological Factors
Research suggests men and women have different brain chemistry. For example, women may be more sensitive than men to the rewarding and reinforcing effects of drugs. These physiological differences may help explain why women become addicted to a drug more quickly than men.
Women also have different predisposing risk factors, psychological disorders, and family and social risk factors than men. Trauma caused by sexual, physical, or emotional abuse is extremely common among female users and can lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, shame, guilt, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Women who have experienced trauma often struggle with trust and interpersonal skills, which makes them highly sensitive to group dynamics and interactions with men. For women, addiction and trauma are often inter-related, so an effective substance abuse treatment approach has to address all of these issues at once.
The co-morbid mental health and emotional issues that commonly go along with drug and alcohol addiction are different in men and women as well. Women suffer from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, and suicidal tendencies more than men. Nearly twice as many women than men are affected by a depressive disorder, and women report experiencing anxiety disorders and attempting suicide about twice as often as men. In addition, more than 90 percent of people in the U.S. who have eating disorders are young women. Based on these inherent biological, social, and psychological differences, men and women often thrive in gender-specific treatment groups.
Group Dynamics
According to a number of studies, women are more likely to complete treatment and experience a higher rate of recovery in women-only addiction treatment programs as compared to mixed-gender programs. Part of the reason may be that traditional mixed-gender groups tend to have more male patients, which can result in group therapy sessions that are specifically tailored to men. In male-dominated groups, women are more likely to yield when interrupted and keep their thoughts to themselves.
Gender-specific treatment groups also help patients discuss highly sensitive and personal issues that are unique to their gender. Unlike men, women do best in environments that allow them to connect with other women in a cohesive social network. In female-only groups, women can concentrate on their own needs without worrying about social approval and the welfare of others. They feel safe to discuss topics and memories that are uncomfortable to disclose in a co-ed group.
In summary, treatment is not a one size fits all and peoples preferences and the program ability to provide a customized treatment approach often leads to more positive treatment outcomes and recovery. When searching for treatment provider make sure you ask about their treatment approach and be willing to ask questions about how your preferences and input may be incorporated into treatment.
Addam Gross is a mental health and addiction specialist practicing in the Phoenix area.