Barriers in Addiction Treatment for Women
There can be barriers that occur for women in addiction treatment due to the stigma of being a woman with a problem and the lack of support they get from their family or friends. These barriers make it difficult for women to seek out the treatment necessary to treat their addiction.
Common Barriers
- Depression and anxiety
- Childcare
- Stigma of being a woman
- Denial that problems are present
- Lack of family support
- Co-occurring disorders
- Low motivation to get treatment
Are You a Single Mother with a Drug or Alcohol Problem?
Quite often, single mothers condemn themselves for having a problem with substances like crystal meth, heroin, or prescription painkillers. They judge themselves harshly. This is no surprise. There is still a stigma that surrounds addiction treatment, and society can be unforgiving. This is heartbreaking.
Many people do not understand that a substance use disorder is a complex brain disease that negatively impacts individuals and their families. This includes single mothers who sincerely want to turn their lives around and stop using drugs and alcohol.
If you are a single mother with a substance use disorder, we ask that you give yourself a break. You have a sincere desire to be a loving and nurturing parent. We know you want to break the chains of addiction and be the woman and mother you were created to be. You just need a little help. That’s why we’re here.
Addiction is a Disease – You Are Sick, Not Bad
Addicted people are not bad people who need to be punished. They are sick people who need hope and healing. This includes you!
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness.”
Symptoms of Addiction in Women
- Keeping a constant supply of the drug or substance
- Unable to stop using the drug
- Building a tolerance to the drug, requiring more of it to feel the same effects
- Extreme cravings and urges to use the drug despite the negative risk factors
- Spending a lot of time using the drug, getting it, or recovering from using a drug
- Purchasing the drug despite the financial hardships it causes
- Not seeking out help despite the negative impacts drug or alcohol cause
No matter how hopeless or helpless you may feel, there is a solution to your problem. You do not have to stay trapped in the endless cycle of obsession and compulsion driven by substance abuse. You can find a new way to live. There is no shame in being sick and admitting you need help to recover.
Residential Treatment for Single Mothers and Their Children
At New Directions for Women, we have been helping single mothers get sober for more than 40 years. Located in beautiful Orange County, California; we are run by women for women. We are one of the only treatment centers and rehab in the United States that welcomes women with children.
We understand that addiction is a family disease. It not only affects the addicted woman; it affects her children, family members, and loved ones. Our program is designed to support women through the healing process by addressing all aspects of the recovering woman. This includes providing a stable environment and therapy for her children.
We provide a full continuum of care – from detox all the way to sober living. If you are a single mother and you are ready to reclaim your life, it may be time for you to consider staying with us for inpatient treatment rehab.
Please Keep in Mind – Outpatient Treatment is an Option
Many single mothers forgo the substance use disorder treatment they desperately need because they simply cannot afford to take time off from work. We want you to know that you can get help for a problem with addiction and keep your job if you need to attend an inpatient 28-day program. Please keep this in mind.
However; if your personal, professional, or family responsibilities prevent you from going for residential treatment and rehab, you have another option. Quite often, single mothers simply don’t realize that they can still get help while staying at home to take care of their children and go to work.
At New Directions for Women, we offer an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) that allows single mothers the flexibility they need to get help. IOP takes place on our campus in the evenings, several times a week.
What is IOP?
IOP can be just as effective as a 28-day stay at a residential treatment center. The only difference is that clients get to go home every night to take care of their families and attend work the next day.
At IOP, you are likely to meet other single mothers who are getting help for an addiction to drugs or alcohol. You are not the only one who has this problem. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) reports that approximately 8.7 million children live with an addicted parent in the United States. Connecting with other recovering single mothers will help you build a strong support network for you and your children.
Clients receive all the therapy they need while being taught relapse prevention strategies at New Directions including:
Types of Addiction Therapy:
Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy with a counselor or mental health professional to help work through the underlying issues that cause the person to use substances.
Family Therapy
Therapy that includes the whole family that will address problems with substance abuse and other mental health disorders.
Our IOP is designed to show single mothers how to live and enjoy life without the use of drugs or alcohol. Childcare is provided.
Your New Life as a Single Mother in Recovery
There is no shame in getting help for a substance abuse disorder just like there is no shame in getting treatment for other illnesses like diabetes, leukemia, or asthma. The first step is admitting you need help. This begins the recovery process and puts an end to the madness of addiction.
Steps to Recovery from Addiction
The first steps in addiction treatment may consist of:
- Contact your primary care physician or doctor to let them know you are concerned and that you may have a problem with substances
- Your doctor will perform an evaluation and health assessment to determine the severity of the problem and what type of treatment is necessary
- Find an addiction treatment center that will meet your individual needs
If you have a sincere desire to quit taking drugs or drinking alcohol – but have found that you cannot stop on your own – please get help. If left untreated, addiction can be deadly. Plus, when a substance abuse disorder is running the show, you simply cannot be the mother you want to be. The drugs or alcohol will win every time.
We want to encourage you to get help now. This is the right decision for you and your family. Recovery isn’t easy, but we promise you, it’s worth it!
