Women's Health and Recovery

The iconic media mogul, Oprah Winfrey, famously said, “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” This is symbolic of the power of women. Yet, women's health and recovery are not always prioritized. There is a long history of this. The good news is that this is changing, and there are many more female-centered means of recovery and female-focused treatment centers than ever before.

Addressing the Importance of Women’s Health and Recovery

There is a misconception that women struggle with addiction and mental illness less than their male counterparts. Contrary to this, according to The Psychiatric Clinics of North America, “Lifetime rates of mood and anxiety disorders are significantly higher among women than men, with and without substance-use disorders… Given this high co-occurrence, a comprehensive psychiatric assessment is critical. Because chronic alcohol or drug use may enhance vulnerability for these disorders or lead to organic changes that manifest as a mood or anxiety disorder, careful assessment is necessary to differentiate substance-induced, transient symptoms from a disorder that warrants treatment.”

This is why female-focused recovery can be so important. While everyone has the right to recover, treatment must also be diverse and equitable. It is also true that women tend to suffer more instances of trauma, which can lead to more frequent issues of mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD).

Understanding Addiction, Mental Illness, and Trauma in Women

Trauma is more common than many people may think. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Psychological Medicine, “General population studies have shown that a large proportion of people in developed countries have been exposed to at least one TE [traumatic event] in their lifetime (estimates from 28 to 90%), with the most common events being the unexpected death of a loved one, motor vehicle accidents and being mugged.” However, trauma tends to be more prominent among women.

According to the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, “Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol and other SUDs are among the most costly public health problems in the U.S. The wide scope of problems associated with comorbid PTSD and SUDs (PTSD+SUD) includes poorer treatment prognosis, longer hospital stays for treatment, lower treatment adherence, and higher suicide rates than patients with SUDs without PTSD. [Now], the consequences of PTSD+SUD are particularly relevant to women; in comparison to men, women are disproportionately exposed to high-impact traumas, more vulnerable to developing PTSD, and move more rapidly from first-time use to problematic substance use.” Yet, the good news is that many effective treatments can help women with trauma-related addiction and mental health issues.

Women’s Health and Recovery: Treating Addiction, Mental Illness, and Trauma

Many effective means, methods, and modalities can help with women's health and recovery. Predominantly, these modalities should be utilized with a multi-angled approach. In other words, modalities should be utilized from all realms of recovery. These include “traditional” psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), holistic healing methods like trauma-informed yoga, and experiential therapies such as nature-based therapies and art therapy.

Art therapy can be highly beneficial, especially for individuals struggling with issues of mental health. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Cureus, “Art therapy is used most commonly to treat mental illnesses and can aid in controlling manifestations correlated with psychosocially challenging behaviors, slowing cognitive decline, and enhancing the quality of life. [It] can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships. The basis of art therapy is established on the idea that people can recover and feel better via artistic expression.” Mindfulness meditation can also be highly beneficial for expression and recovery.

The benefits of mindfulness meditation are vast and varied. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda (AYU), “During the process of meditation, accumulated stresses are removed, energy is increased, and health is positively affected overall. Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency.” The key is to find the right combination of treatments that work for you and stick to them.

A Focus on Healing All at West Coast Recovery Centers

Here at West Coast Recovery Centers, we believe that everyone has the right to recover, regardless of race, creed, economic status, or gender. That is also why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future.

If you are ready to recover and live a life beyond your wildest dreams, the time is now. Recovery is ready. You can do this. Allow us to guide and support you on your journey to lasting recovery in your life.

It is important to understand how women experience recovery and how it may differ from other populations. This includes the significance of comprehending the connection between recovery and women's issues, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, hormonal health problems, and more. The good news is that there is hope, and there is a solution. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don't have to go through this process alone. For more information about women-specific trauma-related addiction treatment and mental illness recovery, please reach out to West Coast Recovery Centers at (760) 492-6509.