A Home for Body, Spirit, and Recovery
If you are reading this, then you are likely the loved one of a woman who is challenged by addiction or the woman herself who is determined to stay sober and clean. We are ready to support you!
It is now recognized that women have different addiction recovery needs than men, and that recovery processes for women should be gender- or women-sensitive to address their unique needs. In general, women report more problems related to health and mental health, as well as more past trauma and abuse (physical and sexual), and experience more sexual problems.
Women are more likely to begin using drugs after a specific traumatic event, and to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Women experience higher levels of affective disorders, shame, depression, and anxiety.
Importantly, women suffer from “low expectations,” as basic survival concerns are a major focus. In general, chemically dependent women have been found to have lower expectations for their lives than male addicts, and they express greater preoccupation with simply surviving and minimizing discomfort than getting ahead in life. As a group, women struggling with drug addiction have less education, fewer marketable skills, fewer work experiences, and diminished financial prospects compared to substance dependent men.
Research has identified four processes considered essential for women in recovery: validating the importance of relationships; providing mutual support; offering choices and multiple paths to healing; and eliminating punitive or confrontational strategies. Other key principles in women’s recovery include the need to address women’s fear of losing their children; the need to maintain mothers’ parental role; the importance of addressing women’s experiences of trauma and the physical, emotional and sexual abuse of women, and histories of incest and rape. Addiction recovery for women is highly correlated with treatment for trauma, as trauma survivors often turn to drugs to medicate pain (a trigger for relapse). Women’s primary need is thus seeking safety and self-care in a supportive, structured environment.
At Busara we know all these things you have just read to be true. We approach each woman who resides at Busara with kindness, compassion, and seasoned therapeutic expertise. We understand addiction, trauma, and recovery. We know how hard it is to be in recovery and what a difference a strong recovery community makes. Sober Living is a critical factor in learning how to recover from addiction and just as importantly learning to love the life that is being created. True long-term recovery can never happen alone – a therapeutic and recovery community are essential. When you are ready, we will be here and waiting.
Gail A. Chester Ph.D., L.P.C., L.M.F.T.
Founder and Administrator – Busara Recovery Home
January, 2024
Research Related To This Article:
Covington S. In: Handbook of women's addiction treatment. Straussner L, Brown S, editor. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 2002. Helping women recover: Creating gender-responsive treatment.
Herman JL. Trauma and recovery. New York: Basic Books; 1992.
Hiersteiner C. Narratives of low-income mothers in addiction recovery centers: Motherhood and the treatment experience. J Soc Work Pract Addict. 2004;10(2):51–64. doi: 10.1300/J160v04n02_05.
Kruk, Edward, Sandberg, Kathryn DA A Home for body and soul: Substance using women in recovery – Harm Reduction Journal, 2013, 10:39
It is now recognized that women have different addiction recovery needs than men, and that recovery processes for women should be gender- or women-sensitive to address their unique needs. In general, women report more problems related to health and mental health, as well as more past trauma and abuse (physical and sexual), and experience more sexual problems.
Women are more likely to begin using drugs after a specific traumatic event, and to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Women experience higher levels of affective disorders, shame, depression, and anxiety.
Importantly, women suffer from “low expectations,” as basic survival concerns are a major focus. In general, chemically dependent women have been found to have lower expectations for their lives than male addicts, and they express greater preoccupation with simply surviving and minimizing discomfort than getting ahead in life. As a group, women struggling with drug addiction have less education, fewer marketable skills, fewer work experiences, and diminished financial prospects compared to substance dependent men.
Research has identified four processes considered essential for women in recovery: validating the importance of relationships; providing mutual support; offering choices and multiple paths to healing; and eliminating punitive or confrontational strategies. Other key principles in women’s recovery include the need to address women’s fear of losing their children; the need to maintain mothers’ parental role; the importance of addressing women’s experiences of trauma and the physical, emotional and sexual abuse of women, and histories of incest and rape. Addiction recovery for women is highly correlated with treatment for trauma, as trauma survivors often turn to drugs to medicate pain (a trigger for relapse). Women’s primary need is thus seeking safety and self-care in a supportive, structured environment.
At Busara we know all these things you have just read to be true. We approach each woman who resides at Busara with kindness, compassion, and seasoned therapeutic expertise. We understand addiction, trauma, and recovery. We know how hard it is to be in recovery and what a difference a strong recovery community makes. Sober Living is a critical factor in learning how to recover from addiction and just as importantly learning to love the life that is being created. True long-term recovery can never happen alone – a therapeutic and recovery community are essential. When you are ready, we will be here and waiting.
Gail A. Chester Ph.D., L.P.C., L.M.F.T.
Founder and Administrator – Busara Recovery Home
January, 2024
Research Related To This Article:
Covington S. In: Handbook of women's addiction treatment. Straussner L, Brown S, editor. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 2002. Helping women recover: Creating gender-responsive treatment.
Herman JL. Trauma and recovery. New York: Basic Books; 1992.
Hiersteiner C. Narratives of low-income mothers in addiction recovery centers: Motherhood and the treatment experience. J Soc Work Pract Addict. 2004;10(2):51–64. doi: 10.1300/J160v04n02_05.
Kruk, Edward, Sandberg, Kathryn DA A Home for body and soul: Substance using women in recovery – Harm Reduction Journal, 2013, 10:39