Women Only and Men Only Addiction Treatment Serving San Diego County

Substance abuse and addiction to alcohol and drugs is a problem that extends to people of all ages and genders ( men and women)  and is prevalent in most communities in the United States.  In fact, more than 700,000 Americans receive alcoholism treatment on any given day, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Treatment program, both private and public in cities throughout San Diego County, from Chula Vista to Lakeside, to Coronado, Del Mar and Carlsbad, are treating people for the destructive effects of chemical addiction. None of these women or men ever thought that they would need treatment.  Seek assistance from professionals who can help you recover from chemical dependency. You want the best professional clinicians who are up on the latest research. Are there differences in treatment methods? Yes. One treatment difference is in gender specific groups.

There has been much research done on the differences in how women and men experience alcohol and drug addiction differently.

       --The factors that lead up to the first use of alcohol and drugs is often dissimilar for both sexes.
       --Brain chemistry among men and women shows that women are more sensitive to the reward
value of alcohol and drugs
       --The length of time for the disease of alcoholism to develop in women is eight years on average, and for men it is an average of 15 years.

Both men and women begin using substances for different reasons, referred to as predisposing risk factors, psychological disorders, family and social risk factors. Research by Stephanie Covington, Ph.D., a La Jolla therapist,  author and researcher,  showed that 74% of women with alcohol and or drug addictions had experienced some form of sexual trauma.

The trauma caused by sexual, emotional or physical abuse can lead to many forms of depression, anxiety, low feelings of self worth, guilt, shame, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Reserch has shown that women are 200 time more likely to develop PTSD from within their family and local communities, as men.

Men, on the other hand, are more likely to have suffered physical abuse and tend to struggle with co-occuring disorders of anxiety and depression along with their alcohol and drug dependency.  In addition, men have more substance related legal problems as a result of their difficulty managing anger. Men's issues tend to be related to defiance and opposition.

Women are more likely than men to struggle with issues related to trust, self esteem and developing an assertive voice. In gender specific groups no one has to put up their social/sexual front.  Letting down defenses in a safe and secure environment is what makes treatment possible.  Many people have not been without a chemical mask on their thinking and emotions for years. When the chemicals are out of one's system, the thoughts and feelings are acknowledged in a safe, and confidential environment.

 Lasting Recovery is a gender specific treatment center in San Diego, as we offer groups for women only, men only and also a co-ed group for men and women. If you want a personalized, intimate and caring treatment program for yourself or a family member, give us a call. If we can't help you, we will refer you to a program that can. 

Judy Saalinger, Ph.d., MFT, CAS