Women are more likely than men to abuse opioid pain medication. They are also more likely to stay dependent on higher opioid dosage for a longer period. This is because opioid addiction for women is different than it is for men. Women often become addicted to opioids as a result of trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, or hormones.
For this reason, opioid addiction treatment is available for women of all ages. Women’s treatment centers provide gender-specific individual and group therapy. Treatment programs offer evidence-based treatment, holistic therapy, detox, rehab, and aftercare, geared toward helping women achieve their recovery goals. To learn more about our women’s opioid recovery program, contact Women’s Recovery at 833.754.0554.
Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
A woman suffering from extreme stress, anxiety, or depression may not be equipped to deal with these types of disorders. Instead of seeking help from a mental health treatment program, they may turn to opioids as a form of self-medication. This use can lead to a dependency on opioids.
Opioid addiction treatment centers offer dual diagnosis treatment to help women manage the symptoms of their mental health issues while recovering from their addiction. The right treatment plan addresses both problems simultaneously, giving a client a greater chance of sustainable recovery.
The Stigma of Opioids
When people think of drugs, they often defer to illicit drugs like meth, cocaine, or marijuana. While heroin is an opioid, many discussions about opioids involve pain medication like oxycodone, hydrocodone, or codeine. Since many doctors prescribe these drugs, people perceive them as safe and manageable.
An addiction to pain medication can occur when you take an extra pill or two every once in a while to take the edge off. Yet, opioid addiction for women is dangerous, as the current opioid epidemic has demonstrated time and again. Regardless of the real dangers of opioids, the stigma of opioids continues to cause many women to ignore their addiction or the risk of an opioid overdose.
High Relapse Rates
Women are often more likely to admit they have a problem with addiction and do something about it than men are. They are also more likely to complete a rehab program. However, men are more likely to stay clean once they recover from an addiction. There are several reasons for this.
First, a woman’s drug cravings are more intense and last longer than a man’s. Second, withdrawal symptoms are far more severe in women than they are men. Third, women are more likely to experience specific emotional triggers than men, making it more challenging to say no to opioids. Last, women may not receive the support and nurturing they need at home as much as men, since people tend to perceive them as the source of nurturing.
Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Fortunately, opioid addiction treatment centers offer gender-specific treatment for women. Treatment programs may include:
- Outpatient treatment program
- Sober living homes
- Trauma-informed care
- Opioid-specific treatment
- Individual therapy
- Support groups
- Detox and aftercare programs
These programs recognize that opioid addiction for women is unique and provides unparalleled challenges. As such, programs are designed specifically for women with support from other women who are also on the path to recovery. All programs promote long-term recovery from opioid addiction without relapse.
Learn More About Opioid Addiction for Women
Our opioid addiction treatment program offers an array of therapies suited to the needs of women. To find out more about our dual diagnosis treatment center and options for your recovery, call us today. We are here to help you break the vicious cycle of addiction once and for all. To learn more about opioid addiction for women, contact Women’s Recovery at 833.754.0554.
