Women who are suffering from substance use disorders may feel alone in their struggles. It can be hard to open up about these challenges and reach out for help. But, when drug and alcohol abuse persists, the consequences can be devastating. This is why we offer comprehensive and compassionate substance abuse treatment here at Villa Kali Ma. With our support and guidance, you or a woman you care about can find healing and hope for a healthier and brighter future!
What is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse is best described as a pattern of using a mind-altering substance in such a way that it results in problems functioning in day-to-day life. Drugs, alcohol, and addictive behaviors can rapidly digress from being enjoyable or helpful experiences and instead become sources of negative effects and life consequences or women’s experiences.
The abuse of substances among women is widespread and continues to be a growing problem, especially in what are known to be especially vulnerable populations, such as those with trauma and people in high-stress environments, and struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Drug and holistic treatment for alcohol withdrawal can have a profound impact on every aspect of your life, including your relationships with family and friends, job performance, physical health, mental health, and general well-being. Generally, women report getting addicted to other drugs than their male counterparts.
That’s why it’s important to receive professional help early on if possible, as with many disease patterns, it’s easier to treat the earlier you are able to address it. Even if you’re approaching recovery from a later stage in the addiction cycle, however, it is important to know it’s never too late to reclaim your life. With a supportive environment and family members and friends, anything is possible in recovery.
Causes of Substance Abuse
The causes of a substance use disorder are complex and will vary from woman to woman. However, there are a few very common reasons that people turn to addiction. Some of the reasons include the following:
- Peer pressure: When you are surrounded by people who abuse alcohol or drugs, it can be tempting to join them because of what they are doing or what they have experienced. This can have a lasting impact on what you do even after your peers stop using.
- Family history: A women’s intensive outpatient program for mental health disorders and substance use problems recognizes that these conditions tend to run in families. This means you’re at a higher risk of what your parents or relatives struggled with if they had the same issues.
- Self-medication: Substance abuse is frequently used as a form of self-medication for what is going on in your life. This includes everything from stress, depression, low self-esteem, loneliness, grief, anxiety, and a general lack of control.
- Co-occurring mental health disorders: In some cases, people who take prescription medication for mental health disorders may grow dependent on their medications and begin to abuse them. Or, they may self-medicate with illicit drugs and develop co-occurring addictions in addition to their mental health challenges.
Signs and Symptoms of Substance Misuse and Addiction
No woman is the same, so drug and alcohol misuse patterns can vary from person to person. Nevertheless, there are general ways to identify the presence of an addiction. Following are several common signs and symptoms of substance abuse: