The journey to recovery from substance use is deeply personal, yet research consistently shows that women face distinct challenges that require tailored approaches to treatment and support. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing effective services that truly meet women’s needs.
Why Women Need Different Support
Women’s relationship with substances often differs significantly from men’s experiences. Research indicates that women’s substance use is more commonly linked to trauma and abuse, focuses on different substances, and is complicated by biological differences and caring responsibilities.
Key differences include:
- Higher rates of prescription drug and alcohol use compared to illegal substances
- Greater likelihood of experiencing domestic or sexual abuse
- More complex trauma histories that influence substance use
- Increased caring responsibilities for children and family members
- Different biological responses to substances
Barriers Women Face in Accessing Treatment
Despite making up a significant portion of those affected by substance use, women remain underrepresented in treatment services. Several factors contribute to this disparity:
Stigma and Judgement
Society often judges women more harshly for substance use, particularly mothers. This stigma can prevent women from seeking help when they need it most.
Safety Concerns
Many women feel unsafe in mixed-gender treatment environments, especially those who have experienced abuse or trauma. This can create a significant barrier to accessing support.
Caring Responsibilities
Fear of having children removed from their care can prevent mothers from disclosing substance use. Additionally, practical barriers like childcare arrangements can make regular attendance at treatment sessions difficult.
Cultural and Community Barriers
Women from certain ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ women, and those with disabilities may face additional barriers that require culturally sensitive approaches to support.
Five Key Principles for Better Women Recovery Support Services
1. Understanding Local Women’s Needs
Effective services must be built on a comprehensive understanding of local women’s experiences, including those not currently accessing support. This means engaging with community organisations and listening to women with lived experience.
2. Creating Safe, Gender-Responsive Environments
Whether services are mixed-gender or women-only, they must prioritise safety and offer gender-responsive elements such as:
- Choice of same-gender support workers
- Women-only group sessions and spaces
- Flexible delivery to accommodate caring responsibilities
- Safe physical environments with appropriate facilities
3. Building Trauma-Informed Workforces
All staff should receive accredited training in trauma-informed approaches, understanding that many women accessing services will have experienced significant trauma that may be driving their substance use.
4. Developing Integrated Partnership Working
Women often have multiple, interconnected needs. Services work best when they collaborate with domestic abuse services, mental health support, housing providers, and children’s services to provide holistic support.
5. Embedding Lived Experience Voices
Women with lived experience should be involved throughout service development, from understanding needs to evaluating performance. Their insights are invaluable for creating truly responsive services.
Innovative Approaches to Women’s Support
Co-location Models: Bringing substance support into spaces where women already feel comfortable—such as women’s centres, GP surgeries, or community venues—can significantly improve access and engagement.
Specialist Pathways: Some areas have developed specialist services for women with the most complex needs, often using holistic, trauma-informed approaches that address multiple issues simultaneously.
Family-Centred Approaches: Services that work with the whole family, supporting both the woman and her children, can be more effective than those that treat substance use in isolation.
Integrated Health Services: Working closely with women’s health services, including specialist support for pregnancy, menopause, and reproductive health, recognises the interconnected nature of women’s health and wellbeing.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Supporting women before their substance use escalates can prevent more serious problems developing. This includes:…
