Gender Group Therapy in Pennsylvania
Gender group therapy is an important treatment modality because men and women go through addiction differently. For example, addicts have a lengthy list of reasons why they can’t go to treatment right now, and reasons tend to be different by gender. Men tend to start using drugs or alcohol to increase stamina, have a good time or to feel confident. Conversely, women may be looking to conceal some kind of pain in their life.
They may also drink or use just because their partner is using them. Taking part in a gender group lets clients openly discuss gender specific issues, while directly supporting their peers. In this way, clients can talk about sensitive topics that are not appropriate in a mixed group. The value of supplying our clients with a gender group platform cannot be overstated. BriteLife offers gender-specific programming and housing at the residential level of care.
Men and Women Experience Addiction Differently
About 4.5 million women in the U.S. have a drug or alcohol problem. Three million of them use illegal drugs daily and 3.5 million abuse their prescriptions. Women also smaller than most men, and they carry more body fat, which absorbs drugs more quickly. At the same time, women have smaller levels of enzymes capable of breaking down alcohol in their stomach and liver. As a result, alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream at a faster rate for women, meaning their blood alcohol content will increase quicker than a man who has had the same amount in equivalent period.
Men and women have a different set of concerns that can cause a distraction to the addiction treatment process. For instance, men feel greater demands from employers about their return to work. Comparably, working moms feel shame for being apart from their kids and they get pressure from their jobs too. In fact, most women with children leave addiction treatment prematurely because of their childcare concerns.
Additionally, women undergoing addiction rehab can face a host of issues, including:
- Sex addiction
- Lack of family support
- Low self-esteem
- Hormonal shifts
- Childcare worries
Benefits of Gender-specific addiction programming
Addiction is a disease that affects both men and women, but that does not mean they respond to the same approach to addiction therapy. Since males and females classify differently, it makes sense that their events with addiction will also look different.
These experiences form part of the criteria that is taken into consideration when drafting a personalized treatment plan. Gender-specific treatment programs have many advantages, as they speak to the sensitive needs of each group in treatment and provide a safe, supportive group environment. The tangible benefits bring about positive changes in these key areas:
- Self-esteem
- Anger management
- Family dynamics
- Body image
- Coping patterns
- Healthy discovery of emotions
If you or a loved one is experiencing substance use disorder and interested in a gender-specific treatment center, then BriteLife at Hanover may be right for you. Call us today at 866-470-1464 to learn more.