State of the Science: Women and the Nonpharmacological Treatment of Substance Abuse

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Substance abuse affects men and women differently, and as a result, treatment programs should be designed specific to their unique needs. The nonpharmacological treatment of substance abuse among women has been largely neglected in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to analyze critically the existing literature related to the nonpharmacological treatment of substance abuse among women. The methodological rigor of existing research was critiqued and gaps in knowledge identified. DESIGN : The databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, and MEDLINE were searched using the key words women and substance abuse treatment . Studies included in the review were those that were published between 1975 and 2003 and were related to the nonpharmacological treatment of substance abuse for women. RESULTS: Forty-three articles were reviewed. Evidence suggests that there are gender and cultural differences related to substance abuse. There is a dearth of research related to the effectiveness of treatment interventions designed specifically for women who abuse substances. The research that exists is limited in its theoretical foundation and methodological rigor. CONCLUSIONS : Few treatment programs reflect gender and cultural differences, leaving gaps in substance abuse treatment among women. Furthermore, existing research related to women and substance abuse treatment lacks a robust scientific foundation. Future research should be theoretically based and methodologically sound to advance the evidence base of substance abuse treatment for women.

The recovered female ex-offenders

“…Women suffered greater difficulties in community reentry and recovery, but they may have more motivation to achieve it of being a role of family caregiver [15]. The key differences between male and female drug users were categorized into physical, environmental, and psychological aspects [16][17][18]. Physically, due to the influence of gonadal hormone estrogen and a higher percentage of fat in the female body makeup compared with males, females were found to be more vulnerable to being affected by substance usage [19].…”

Hope and Recovery From Substance Abuse for Female Drug Offenders in Taiwan

“…Several scholars from the United States have explored the characteristics of female substance abusers and concluded that there are key differences between male and female substance abusers, which can be categorized into three aspects-physical, environmental, and psychological-as follows (e.g., Gerolamo, 2004;Molidor, Nissen, & Watkins, 2002;Shelton, 2000). Physically, due to hormonal differences and a higher percentage of fat in the female body makeup compared with males, females positive motivation to set up goal-directed pathways (pathways) and the energy to follow the pathways to achieve the goals (agency).…”

Examining human rights and mental health among women in drug abuse treatment centers in Afghanistan

“… 7 – 9 Research has shown that such mental health problems are often present among female drug abusers. 10 , 11 Further, because Afghanistan is a major source of the global supply of opium and hashish, 12 and because opium is commonly used by Afghans for medicinal purposes, 12 , 13 Afghan women face a unique and significant reality in which they have easier access to illegal and psychotropic drugs than they do to drug abuse treatment, education, or health care.…”