After doing your research on addiction recovery, you may have come across treatments specific to gender. Now you probably wonder, “what is gender-specific treatment?” Addiction affects both men and women. However, the disease affects them differently.
It’s why the same approach to treatment does not offer the same benefits to both genders. Males and females have inherent differences. It makes sense then that their experiences with alcohol and substance abuse are different as well. As such, if you are a woman who struggles with addiction, you may be interested in our woman’s rehab center.
What Is Gender-Specific Treatment?
Gender-specific treatments are drug and alcohol addiction programs designed for women and men separately. These programs address the fundamental difference between men and women when it comes to addiction.
What is gender-specific treatment? It’s a type of addiction treatment that addresses the many differences between men and women have when dealing with substance and alcohol abuse. Some of those differences include:
- Rates of dependence
- Choice of substance
- Brain response to substance
- Rate of exposure
- Ability to break down alcohol
- Speed of addiction progression
Men and women have diverse reasons for alcohol and drug use. Their different circumstances affect things like the potential for relapse. Gender-specific programs address each gender’s unique needs to ensure they are on a solid path to recovery.
Benefits of Gender-Specific Treatment
Men and women generally use different substances, as well. Besides that, they also have differing goals and expectations from treatment. Because of that, gender-specific treatments help to make sure that each gender receives what they need.
Among the benefits of gender-specific treatment include:
- Specialized treatment to address each gender’s emotional, relational, and physiological needs
- Increased comfort by encouraging bonding and trust among same-sex patients
- Decreased distractions and sexual tension between opposite genders
- Supportive therapy that inspires open communication about gender, cultural, and social pressures regarding substance abuse
Gender-Specific Treatment for Men
Men have specific needs concerning addiction treatment. It’s not about stereotypes and cultural roles directed at men. Instead, it is the thought that getting treatment is a sign of weakness. Many men think this way, making them wary of addiction treatment programs.
They are also afraid of being judged, which is what gender-specific treatments aim to eliminate. Going through therapy with same-sex clients helps make it more comfortable. Gender-specific programs foster acceptance, assisting men in opening up and voicing their emotions.
Since they take a lot more time to get comfortable and open about their difficulties compared to women, programs specific to men take this into account. When it comes to gender-specific treatment for men, the program caters to their physiological, emotional, and psychological needs.
Gender-Specific Treatments for Women
Just like men, women also have specific needs when seeking alcohol and drug abuse treatment. Thanks to gender-specific therapy, they can feel more comfortable dealing with their issues. Being with other female clients, they can communicate openly.
They can talk freely about family life, relationships, motherhood, their workplace, and all other areas without judgment. All this because of a program designed to provide them with a safe and supportive environment.
Women can benefit from gender-specific treatment, especially when it comes to trauma. A woman who has experienced physical, verbal, or sexual abuse from a man probably won’t feel as safe when sharing treatments with male patients.
It will be difficult for them to discuss their experiences in the presence of men. Besides these, being with other women will be more supportive. After all, they can better understand the struggles that women face with addiction.
Find Support from Specialists at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center
Even the specialists working with you is of the same gender if you enter a gender-specific treatment. That makes it a more comfortable and safe place for someone who has gender-related substance abuse issues. Gender-specific treatment is a form of addiction program catered to individual differences. Whether you are a man or a woman, the expert team at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center at [Direct] can help you overcome substance abuse.
