Gender Differences in Drug Addiction and Treatment: Implications for Social Work Intervention with Substance-Abusing Women

The role of social mechanisms of change in women’s addiction recovery trajectories

“…Patriarchal social constructions around women and their roles can also create barriers-the 'good mother' is the term used to describe the socially idealised identity for women (Gunn & Canada, 2015;Peterson, 2018) which may in fact further restrict women in their recovery (Radcliffe, 2011), particularly in early recovery. Focusing on oneself juxtaposes against the socially idealised conception of a mother and their role, leaving the potential for stigma perceptions to be exacerbated: the representation of women as a moral compass and foundation for the family (Nelson-Zlupko et al, 1995) can mean that women feel criticised for their circumstances and held responsible for children's wellbeing (Jackson & Mannix, 2004).…”

“…With phrases such as 'slut, lush or bad mothers' (Covington, 2002, p. 2) being associated with substance using women, males do not encounter the same level of shame which casts shadow on his competence as a parent: the societal stigma attached to women who use substances produces greater levels of shame and guilt (Wincup, 2019) and can act as a barrier to seeking support (Cloud, 1987). Women who feel they represent stability for their families can therefore encounter greater societal pressures and can cite the use of substances as a way of reducing, or numbing this experience (Nelson-Zlupko et al, 1995). Radcliffe (2009) identifies however that becoming pregnant can be an opportunity for drug-using women to engage with treatment services and to turn their lives around: 'motherhood can be transformative' (Radcliffe, 2009, p. 21).…”

Gender bias in caregiving professions: The role of perceived warmth

“…In Study 2, we attempted to conceptually replicate Study 1 using a different occupation (i.e., social workers, who typically provide a range of assistance and therapeutic care to individuals; Nelson-Zlupko, Kauffman, & Dore, 1995;Paige & Johnson, 1997) and to administer direct measures of two primary outcome variables: hireability (i.e., perceptions on whether a candidate is worth interviewing or hiring) and likeability. Unlike our previous study, participants in Study 2 rated job applicants rather than existing employees.…”

The Governance of Female Drug Users

“…Studies have found that women are more likely to address psychosocial issues key to their recovery in a women-only treatment setting (Nelson-Zlupko et al, 1995;Jannson et al, 1996;Knight et al, 1999;Volpicelli et al, 2000;Greenfield et al, 2007). For example, in a study of 24 women in recovery, Nelson-Zlupko et al (1996) found that conventional treatment programmes and mixed groups failed to provide a forum where women felt they could openly discuss many of the issues they saw as central to their recovery, including childrearing, sexuality and relationships.…”