Addiction Therapy in California

 

Drug addiction treatment and mental health therapy go hand in hand. Our gender-specific approach concentrates on what works best for women, offering a supportive and therapeutic environment. Since women often experience addiction and mental health disorders concurrently, we strive to provide women the help they need to get healthy. 

At New Directions for Women, we offer several programs intended for women in most circumstances. Addiction is a lifelong battle, and our substance abuse psychologists are experienced in treating women with addictions to various substances.

The emotional and physical needs of women are undeniably different from men. Therefore, specialized addiction treatment proves more successful than traditional treatment.  

Drug Addiction TherapyWhy Addiction Therapy for a Dual Diagnosis is Necessary 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that women are more likely to experience anxiety or depression in all age brackets compared to men. The mental distress women occasionally face is typically concerning environmental, psychosocial, and biological variables. 

Researchers believe that the biological differences that may lead to more anxiety and depression are associated with women’s brain structure and hormones. Another heavily researched aspect is developmental concerns in women. Though not necessarily having to do with gender, women are more likely to fall victim to social stigma, lower socioeconomic status, and domestic violence. 

The stress involved in the issues above may lead women to self-medication, substance abuse, or other addictions.

Women’s Mental Health Care History

Mental illness has been stigmatized for generations, especially for women. Historically, the challenges that women face regarding gender-specific physical and psychological health have been demeaned. Terms such as “fragile” and “emotional” have hindered the necessary support regarding women’s mental health. Dating back to the 1800s, research on women’s mental health was uncommon.

Women’s Mental Health Care Today

Healthcare for women has drastically improved over the years. Women can find the healthcare they deserve while being less stigmatized. Women are more likely than men to develop mental illness. At New Directions, we take women’s health seriously and have designed addiction treatment programs specifically for women and their circumstances. 

Drug Addiction Therapy For Women

Our programs at New Directions are designed by women, used to treat women. Since choosing the right program is difficult, we offer programs that cover a vast amount of circumstances. Our specialized therapeutic approaches increase the success and longevity of sobriety. 

Some of the types of therapy programs used to treat substance use disorders are:

  • Play therapy 
  • Family therapy 
  • Holistic therapy
  • Experiential therapy 
  • Dialectical behavior therapy 
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Individual and group therapy 

Each type of therapy that we offer may suit one client more than another. Mental illnesses and substance use disorders are intertwined. Hence, our substance abuse psychologists work to help women manage withdrawal symptoms and break away from addiction as part of our personalized treatment programs. 

Individual Therapy

Addiction treatment and drug addiction therapy is a multifaceted process. Individual therapy plays a vital role in getting clients clear on their issues as well as their goals. Our substance abuse psychologists strive to find patient’s triggers, eventually leading them to a more stable life.

A safe place for women to open up is a small but crucial part of the recovery process. When it comes to addiction recovery, there is no easy road. This type of therapy gives clients the support and opportunity to talk about and understand substance use disorders and how their life led them to that point. 

Individual therapy works by helping patients understand:

  • Their triggers
  • The cause and impact of their behavioral patterns
  • The route to developing relapse prevention skills 
  • How their past experiences affect their mental and physical health
  • Based on the severity of the client’s addictions, individual therapy can range from one day a week to every day.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is especially beneficial for women overcoming addiction. While individual therapy offers a one-on-one approach to counseling, group therapy provides you with the perspective of others like yourself. 

A therapist will lead sessions in which everyone shares their experiences and feelings. During these sessions, participants will learn different coping skills and how to apply them to real-world situations using role play. 

A few benefits of group therapy include:

  • Peer support
  • Exposure to different views
  • Support of a community of like-minded individuals

Women struggling in recovery can use group therapy as a means to connect over similar issues. By sharing with fellow recovering women, patients won’t feel alone. They’ll feel like they have a community behind them helping with their sobriety.

Family Therapy 

Women have specific responsibilities that men typically do not have. New Directions for Women offers addiction treatment for women who need child care as well. Family therapy instills an open line of communication in the household. 

A safe mentally and physically area is vital for children while their parent deals with addiction or substance abuse. Our substance abuse psychologists encourage all family members to open up their emotions and concerns to their loved ones. 

The benefit of family therapy is that it allows family members to understand the issues taking place. A broader perspective is intended for the family to create a supportive environment and begin the healing process. 

Play Therapy

If a child is too young to participate in family therapy, we offer an alternative called play therapy. When young children can’t express feelings or concerns yet, play therapy allows them to express themselves. 

Play therapy often is successful in dealing with issues in children such as:

  • Abuse
  • Neglect
  • Aggression
  • Emotional Issues
  • Attachment Issues

drug addiction therapyCognitive-Behavioral Therapy 

One of the best forms of therapy for clients with substance abuse issues is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). We use consistent therapy sessions to help women overcome their alcohol and drug addiction. The phase-oriented program keeps clients on track to make a full recovery. 

Our substance abuse psychotherapists help clients recognize harmful thought patterns and habits that feed their respective substance use disorders. CBT for addiction recovery offers a safe environment for women to manage internalized thoughts and emotions. Once clients assess their cognitive patterns, our therapists who specialize in cognitive-behavioral therapy provide constructive habits for the clients to practice. 

Some benefits of CBT are:

  • Social and communication skills
  • Women-centered support system
  • Positive and constructive thoughts
  • General and professional life skills 
  • Increased self-esteem
  • Relapse prevention

The recovery process does not happen overnight, but clients can expect to gain life-changing skills. Instead of using substances to cope, clients find new ways to manage self-doubt, emotions, or negative thoughts. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Managing emotions and maintaining healthy relationships is an essential part of psychological health. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that teaches these specific skills. Unlike cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT focuses more on the reaction to self-destructive thoughts rather than eliminating them as a whole. 

To treat ailments such as depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, PTSD, bulimia, and binge-eating, DBT focuses on teaching four primary skills:

  • Mindfulness — Clients learn to focus on the present moment. Mindfulness is a skill that takes practice and repetition. 
  • Distress Tolerance — Instead of escaping emotions, we focus on increasing the client’s tolerance for negative emotions. 
  • Emotional Regulation — High-intensity emotions make it difficult to manage problems in our lives. In DBT, we offer methods that help clients address these emotions. In turn, clients are then able to face their issues from a more level-headed perspective.
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness — Building self-respect goes a long way in therapy and recovery. The ability to communicate assertively builds positive relationships with friends, family, and even yourself. 

DBT includes individual therapy as well, like standard cognitive-behavioral therapy. Regular sessions conducted by therapists and substance abuse psychologists keep clients motivated and open to learning. Individual therapy works alongside group therapy to give the client multiple avenues to heal and grow. 

Many treatment centers find many behavioral therapies that complement each other. Some individuals struggling with drugs or alcohol may attend both dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy as treatment options, for instance. 

Support Groups  

Support groups involve group therapy to some extent. But while group therapy focuses on overcoming addiction, the therapy in support groups offers a safe place to heal. 

Types of support groups for drug and alcohol addiction include: 

  • Women for Sobriety
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 
  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
  • LifeRing Secular Recovery
  • Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery

Some support groups are faith-based and some aren’t, leaving multiple options to choose from. The more peer support people in recovery have, the more opportunities they’ll have to reach out to for help when drug abuse seems imminent. 

Experiential Therapy

Some clients find that their avenue to growth and healing is through physical activity. Experiential therapy uses many challenging and rewarding activities designed for clients to find a deeper connection within themselves, distancing themselves from a drug or alcohol addiction. 

Whether it’s hiking, rock climbing, or equine therapy, various experiential therapy approaches can help build client’s awareness of their communication skills. Physical fitness does not only improve physical health, but it’s proven to also affect psychological health. Clients push to engage in exercise, including bicycling, walking, or working out with a personal trainer at our on-site gym.

Holistic Therapy

New Directions offers holistic addiction treatment focused on the mind, body, and spirit. The goal of holistic treatment programs is to use natural recovery methods to replace unhealthy thoughts and habits.

Recovery from drug abuse relies heavily on one’s connection to self. We focus on strengthening the relationship between the mind, body, and spirit of our clients. Within meditation and yoga, words like “mindfulness” and “presence” are commonly used. In holistic therapy, we use mindfulness and being in the present moment to assist with impulsive thoughts and decisions. 

Some issues treated with holistic therapy are:

Holistic Addiction Therapy and Women 

In many cases, women choose alternative forms of drug abuse treatment such as holistic therapy for the following reasons:

  • Personal beliefs
  • Cost of traditional treatment
  • The desire for a natural approach versus medication
  • Dissatisfaction or lack of success with conventional medicine
  • Recommendations by family and friends who have experienced success with holistic therapy

Contingency Management 

Contingency management programs use incentivization to help individuals stick to their recovery plan. This makes clients more likely to commit to staying sober. Many of those struggling with addiction have benefited from contingency management. 

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational interviewing is a counseling technique to help individuals attach their own personal reasons to why they want to stay sober. Overcoming addiction for the sake of it makes the idea less important. MI, instead, keeps specific reasons why clients are at a treatment center in their mind’s eye at all times. 

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Women

When women are battling addiction, there are commonly other issues that need attention as well. New Directions For Women is well equipped to give women with a dual diagnosis (or co-occurring disorders) the help they need.

A dual diagnosis happens when a mental health disorder coexists with substance abuse. Women suffering from certain conditions may find themselves becoming addicted to substances. Addictions can simply be a result of how the patient deals with her situation.

Common co-occurring disorders are:

substance abuse psychologistWhy Are Women-Specific Behavioral Therapies Beneficial?

Women-only treatment centers have several types of treatment options that ensure long-term recovery. Gender differences hinder traditional treatment for some men and women. Women typically deal with circumstances differently from men, which is a disadvantage in conventional treatment. 

At New Directions, we focus solely on the best way to help women overcome addiction. Our specific approaches take into account the way women deal with and heal from addiction and trauma. 

Choose NDFW to Start Healing Today

By catering only to women, we’ve created a drug rehab that feels free of pressure and judgment. We also cater to the fact that women often have childcare responsibilities. Breaking down barriers within treatment is essential to us. If you or a loved one is suffering from drug abuse and addiction, please contact us today.