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Gender Specific Treatment

Ohana - Benefits of Gender Specific Treatment

Substance abuse disorders affect men and women differently. Recognizing the need for gender-specific treatment, addiction treatment centers in Southern California offer men’s programs and women’s programs that are tailored to the emotional and medical needs of each gender.

A gender-specific treatment program removes the distraction that can arise by being around the opposite sex. It also helps clients feel more comfortable talking about sensitive issues. Men’s and women’s programs can help individuals build lasting relationships with their peers in a safe and judgment-free environment. Below, we look at some benefits of gender-specific treatment for addiction.

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Benefits of Gender-Specific Treatment

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In some cases, being around a member of the opposite sex in rehab can prove to be a distraction, as it creates mental, emotional, or physical sexual tension. Clients may become attracted to each other or afraid to open up around each other.

In either case, a person is distracted by the other gender. Some clients do better when the potential for this type of distraction is removed. They may feel more relaxed in a room where only men or women are present.

Gender-Specific Treatment Is Specialized

Research has shown that most men are admitted to a drug or alcohol treatment center for heavy binge drinking and marijuana use. Women have a higher rate of abusing prescriptions, such as painkillers.

Research has also shown that more men require residential treatment or a 90-day program. Fewer women require this level of treatment.

Peer Support

A key component to success in rehab is peer support and interaction. Having shared life experiences with others that a person can relate to encourages everyone in the room to participate in therapy.

Women face certain challenges that only women can relate to. The same is true for men. Opening up or listening to others helps people to find the answers within a peer group that they feel the most comfortable around.

More Time Spent Discussing Gender-Specific Issues

Both men and women have gender-specific issues that brought them into addiction. These are issues that are best discussed and shared among those of the same gender. After all, only women can truly understand the issues that women go through.

For instance, only women understand the emotional battles that come with pregnancy, motherhood, or certain types of trauma. On the same level, men have a given set of issues that they battle with that women cannot understand. Gender-specific treatment allows each gender to tackle these issues.

Treatment Is More Effective

A person who does not feel comfortable being in a room with the opposite gender is less likely to participate or engage with others. As a result, they do not benefit from the group therapy sessions. They may walk away from the program feeling unfulfilled or left out.

However, a person who does feel a connection with those around is more likely to participate in the sessions and get more out of them. A men’s program or women’s program can prove to be far more effective, giving people the courage to move forward with treatment.

Less Time Spent Arguing About Gender-Specific Issues

On the other hand, gender-specific treatment programs can eliminate as many “hot button” gender issues as they address. When women and men get together to talk about sensitive addiction issues, arguments, and debates can often spring up quickly.

Groups may spend more time defending or pushing their gender than they do tackling addiction. When they are separated, these issues often go by the wayside and make room for the real issues that genders can discuss without debate or arguments.