Women's Rehab: Our Addiction Treatment Program for Women

It is a common misconception that drug and alcohol addiction are problems that are generally limited to men. Women are often just as susceptible to becoming addicted to substances, and they have unique needs when it comes to going to alcohol or drug rehab. For women, it is essential for them to receive the proper kind of treatment if they're going to recover, and that treatment is often much different from the kind of addiction help men benefit from the most.

If you're a woman who has an addiction to drugs or alcohol, women's rehab might be exactly what you've been looking for. Choosing an alcohol or drug rehab for women provides you with opportunities you could never find in an outpatient setting, or even in an outpatient therapy group like NA or AA. Women usually need more than these methods provide, and here at Northpoint Recovery, we've taken a lot of time to create a women's drug rehab and alcohol rehab that has exactly what you need for your recovery.

Statistically, is There a Need for Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Women?

Men and women are actually very different when it comes to drug and alcohol addictions. It's common to assume that addiction is much more common in men, and so there should be a higher demand for male centered treatment methods than those that offer specific rehab for women. However, this just isn't the case at all. In fact:

• Close to half of the people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol are women
• As many as 25% of women struggle with some type of addiction during their lifetimes
• Women often have a higher chance of becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol than men do
• The fact that women are more insecure about their appearances makes them more susceptible to becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol
• Women are often more prone to mental illness than men, which can leave them vulnerable to addictions
• Research shows that women approach addiction differently than men, and so specific treatment methods are needed for them

These facts indicate a strong need for improved addiction treatment methods, and for women, providing them with women's rehab programs gives them a more detailed drug and alcohol rehab experience that speaks specifically to their needs.

Before Choosing a Women's Treatment Center, Learn How Addiction Works

It's possible that you're a woman who recognizes a need for women's drug rehab and alcohol rehab, but you're still feeling a bit confused. You're not really sure how you became addicted to a substance when that wasn't your intention. Whether you've become addicted to alcohol, marijuana, heroin or prescription medications, it can help to understand how addiction works and how the human brain responds to these and other substances when they're introduced.

While there are some drugs that can result in addiction as soon as they're introduced (such as Ecstasy and heroin in some cases), for most people, drug addiction occurs after several exposures to the drug. The number of exposures varies from person to person, of course, because everyone is different.

When you use drugs or alcohol on a regular, or even semi-regular basis, you're effectively training your brain to expect the use of the substance. It begins to view it as a normal part of your life, and in many cases, your brain even tricks you into believing that you need your drug of choice, or alcohol for your very survival. This all occurs because of the way drugs and alcohol affect the brain. Normally, your brain makes feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals are increased when you use drugs or alcohol, and they result in a pleasant experience for you. After some time has passed, the training of your brain is complete, and you have become addicted.

There are a lot of signs you can look for to determine whether or not you're addicted to drugs or alcohol. However, one of the key indicators is the presence of withdrawal symptoms when you haven't used in a while. These can kick in if you haven't used in a few hours, or in a few days, but if they're present, you can safely assume that you're addicted. Some of the most common drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms are:

• Experiencing pain in your muscles or joints
• Getting cold chills or having a high fever (these often alternate)
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep at night
• Experiencing digestive problems such as chronic diarrhea
• Stomach issues like nausea and vomiting
• Getting intense cravings for drugs or alcohol
• Sudden onset of cold or hot sweats
• Anxiety, panic attacks or depression symptoms

Please be aware that there have been cases when people have experienced problems with their hearts, seizures, strokes, or other medical complications when they've gone through withdrawal. These dangerous withdrawal symptoms are one of the main reasons why it's always recommended for you to quit under the care and supervision of a women's recovery center.

The Benefits of Specific Women's Drug Rehab Centers

There are so many options for drug and alcohol rehab, and it's possible that you're wondering about the benefits of going to a women's recovery center, rather than finding one that caters to both men and women at the same time.

We live in a world where gender equality is considered to be one of our ultimate goals, and while there is something to be said about treating men and women the same, when it comes to addiction treatment, the same rules don't always apply. The fact is that men and women are really very different, and they should be treated differently; especially where addiction treatment is concerned. Women often have circumstances and challenges that can only be related to by other women, and because they also experience their emotions differently than men do, it can be very helpful for them to work alongside other women.

There are other factors to consider as well, and these include:

• The fact that women often run the risk of losing their children when they struggle with addictions
• The fact that women can be more vulnerable than men when they're using, putting them at a higher risk of rape and assault
• The fact that women often struggle with feelings of guilt, fear and shame, which often lead to a terrible addiction cycle
• The fact that women frequently have struggles that are unique to them, including participation in prostitution, unwanted pregnancies and exposure to certain diseases when they have addictions
• The fact that women need to talk with others who can understand them and relate to them, and this is usually only able to be offered by other women

Women's Rehab Programs and the Difference Between Abuse and Addiction

If you're still feeling a bit confused about the difference between abuse and addiction, it can help to identify some of the most common behaviors that indicate that your drug or alcohol use has moved past the abuse stage. Most women don't ever intend to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. They may use them as a way to relax, or as a way to cope with stressful situations or challenges. Once they suspect they have an addiction, it often comes as a surprise.

You may be addicted to drugs or alcohol if you have ever experienced even one of the following:

• You've lied to someone you love about whether or not you use drugs or drink alcohol
• You've had legal issues, or even been arrested because of your drug or alcohol use
• You've participated in doctor shopping (visiting multiple doctors for the same ailment) just to get more prescription drugs
• You think about drugs or alcohol all the time
• You feel like you need to use alcohol or drugs just to feel normal
• Your loved ones have asked you to get help for your addiction
• You've started forgetting about some of your favorite activities because using drugs or alcohol has become more important to you

It can be shocking to realize that you're addicted to a substance, but please don't worry. Women's drug rehab centers are able to help you.

Women's Rehab Centers and Your Treatment Options Explained

While you may have gone to NA or AA, women often find that they need a more involved form of treatment than either of these. That's because you need support, and these types of meetings are usually only held a few times every month.

Not all women are able to go to inpatient women's rehab programs, and if that's the case, outpatient treatment can often be just as helpful under the right circumstances. If at all possible, it's best to opt for a women's addiction treatment center that offers inpatient drug women's rehab. This will help you feel safe and protected as you concentrate on your recovery. You can also get information about drug and alcohol detox while you're there, which can help you with your withdrawal symptoms.

Methods of Treatment Used at Rehab for Women

There are a lot of different treatment methods that are currently being used at women's rehab centers, and it's best to choose a facility that only uses the most current treatment options.

Individual counseling is a must because it's essential for you to have the chance to sit down with a therapist and talk about your addiction one on one. Doing so will help you not only understand why addiction occurs, but it will also help you understand why it happened to you, specifically. In addition, it can be really helpful to go to group therapy meetings and participate in a physical fitness program that promotes a healthy diet and exercise.

Finding the Right Women's Recovery Center to Help You Begin Your Journey

If you're feeling unsure about what to look for in a women's treatment center, the following list of characteristics can help you understand whether or not you've found the best one for you:

• Choose a women's rehab that is accredited
• Choose women's rehab programs that offer alcohol and drug detox
• Choose women's drug rehab centers that provide patients with follow up care
• Choose a rehab for women that has a small population
• Choose a women's drug rehab that treats co-occurring disorders

Northpoint Recovery: A Women's Addiction Treatment Center that Can Help You

As a woman, more than anything, you want to get your life back on track so that you can move far away from your addictive behaviors. While overcoming addiction is a process, it can be done when you have the right kind of professional support to help you.

Here at Northpoint Recovery, our women's rehab programs offer you a hope that you might not have experienced in a long time. The patients we've helped in the past are proof that you can overcome your addiction and learn how to live your life in a way that embraces your recovery. We want you to thrive!

If you'd like more information about how Northpoint Recovery can help you, or if you're ready to get started with our women's recovery center, please contact us today.