Addiction can be cunning, baffling, and powerful. Women must have insights into the unique issues in their relationship with alcohol and other drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Scientists who study substance use have discovered special issues related to hormones, menstrual cycle, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause that can impact women’s struggles with drug use.” Additionally, issues like domestic violence, PTSD related to past traumas, raising a family, and coping with mental health problems complicate matters when it comes to drug misuse and women.
Addiction is a disease that significantly affects women’s health. Physically, it can lead to severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, liver damage, and reproductive health issues. Mentally, a substance abuse disorder, together with depression, anxiety, and PTSD, creates a vicious cycle that makes recovery more challenging.
With about half of all women experiencing a traumatic event at some point in their lives. women experience PTSD much more frequently than men do. The initiation of drug use in women can often be linked to a traumatic event with the drugs becoming a means of self-medicating the pain. As women commit to recovery, healing from trauma is a key to long-term sobriety.
Women will face distinctive challenges throughout their recovery journey. Women must balance a program of recovery with parenting and other caregiver responsibilities In Berks County, our drug and alcohol treatment providers offer caring settings where women will receive support as they navigate the many pathways to recovery.
Connect to our recovery resources at Find A Treatment Provider – Council on Chemical Abuse | Your Bridge to Addiction Resources .
Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA)
50 North 5th Street
Reading, PA. 19601
(610) 376 8669
