Barriers to Treatment Keep Women From Getting the Help They Need

Denial, the unwillingness to acknowledge an addiction in the face of mounting evidence, is common for both sexes when it comes to pursuing and entering treatment. But for women, other significant barriers may be keeping them from seeking the treatment they need and deserve.

Perhaps the primary reason women avoid seeking help is the stigma and shame associated with alcohol and chemical addiction. Having drank or used in secrecy to avoid the labels common to women struggling with addiction like “loose,” “a bad mother,” or “no willpower,” it is not surprising that numerous women do not come forward to seek help or enter treatment out of this debilitating fear that they will face public scorn and shame, both in their personal and professional lives. For others, the cost of treatment for an addiction can also be a significant barrier. Fortunately, for those that meet Federal Assistance funding guidelines, there are an abundance of facilities and beds available. But for those that don’t, the options are limited by health insurance coverage or their ability to pay on their own. The choice to invest money into their own health and welfare versus that of their family is something women struggle with on a regular basis. Another key barrier for women in seeking treatment is safety. Many suffer from a history of trauma, including sexual abuse and/or domestic violence in concurrence with their addiction, and the thought of treatment in a co-ed environment is unfathomable. For these women, gender specific facilities and treatment programs can provide a safe place to address not only their addiction, but also a variety of issues that must be addressed to help pave the road for successful recovery. But choices for women’s only programs are still very limited which means a woman’s options are limited by space as well.

Being passed over for advancement or losing their job is a barrier in seeking treatment for both women and men. But because many women are single mothers, there is the additional fear that the loss of their job may also mean the loss of their children. They fear that Child Services will find out that they need treatment and take their children away. Although employment laws do exist to protect employees from being reported for alcohol and drug use, most employers do not educate their employees on what these laws contain nor do they actively support recovery in the workplace.

Additionally, child care and transportation issues can create more challenges for women, especially if those responsibilities are primarily theirs. Some are fortunate enough to have family and friends they can rely on, but for those without a support system, these issues alone can stop them in their tracks. Knowing this, many schools, community, and religious groups offer afterschool programs, children’s support groups and even short-term living facilities where children can stay while their mother is in treatment. There are also publicly funded programs for women with children who meet their qualifications.

As the realization that alcohol and chemical dependency is a growing healthcare concern, there is hope that new laws and resources will be made available to reduce the many barriers that keep women from seeking treatment. With events happening across the country, especially during September as it is National Recovery Month, increasing focus is being placed on educating the public that addiction is a disease that can be treated and those that seek help should be supported and admired for their courage to do so. By this continual focus and education, stigma can be reduced and more women and men will feel safer and freer to seek the treatment they need and deserve to lead rich and meaningful lives in recovery.

For more information on National Drug and Alcohol Treatment, contact The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service. Their toll-free telephone number for alcohol and drug information and treatment referral assistance is 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357). Their Web site is http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/