 | Women develop drinking problems for different reasons than
men. Many women develop an
addiction to alcohol because of physical or sexual abuse they have
experienced during their lives. Others drink to excess in order to
escape mental health issues such as depression or poor self-image.
Others are involved in
co-dependent relationships with an individual who has a drinking
problem or a drug addiction. Each of these factors is much more common
in women who enter alcohol rehab than men. |
| Women respond positively to alcohol rehab that is
exclusively for women. Repeatedly, studies have found that
women respond much more positively to
alcohol rehab programs that only admit other women. The group
dynamic and support structure that these programs provide women with a
chance to share their common experiences and learn from one another in a
structured setting. |
| The major primary types of alcohol rehab are residential and
outpatient. The two most common forms of alcohol rehab for
women are residential (in which the individual moves into a facility for
an extended period of time in order to focus solely on their recovery)
and outpatient (where a women attend rehab programming during the day,
but then returns home to her family or a sober living facility in the
evening). |
| Alcohol rehab programs for women understand the special
risks of women who drink. Many women are afraid to enter
alcohol rehab because they fear the impact it will have on their
families. Some are afraid of losing their spouse, while others may be
single mothers who are concerned about losing custody of their children.
|
| Detox plays an important role in alcohol rehab.
The first crucial step in recovery is detox. During alcohol detox, the
woman will stop drinking and allow the toxins found in alcohol to leave
her system. Alcohol rehab cannot productively start until detox is
complete because the chance of relapse is too high. |
| A sober living home may be an ideal place for women to
transition. While making the transition from alcohol rehab
back in to the “real world”, many women choose a sober living home. In
a
sober living home for women, the individual and her children (if
applicable) can live among other recovering addicts in a safe, co-op
environment. |
| The end of alcohol rehab is just the beginning of recovery.
When a woman completes alcohol rehab, her journey is just
beginning. Staying sober means taking part in aftercare programs as
well. This may include follow-up counseling and, if appropriate for her,
Alcoholics Anonymous or other
12-step
programs. These are the “tune-ups” that will help keep her on
track, and insure that she goes on to live a happy, fulfilling life one
day at a time. |
