Both men and women experience substance abuse at similar rates across the United States. Yet men and women have different needs when it comes to treating addiction. A general practitioner would never assume using the same exact methods for men and women would produce the best outcomes. The same is true of the addiction treatment field, hence why many providers offer women’s cocaine addiction treatment. In fact, cocaine is one of the more commonly-abused drugs and is a major culprit for substance abuse among women.
Contact 855.732.4842 to learn about the women’s rehab center program in Weymouth, Massachusetts led by Rockland Recovery.
What Is Cocaine?
Understanding the need for women’s cocaine addiction treatment begins with knowledge of the drug itself. Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that produces a pleasurable high. The drug is often distributed in powder form, which is then snorted or ingested orally.
The first way that men and women differ in relation to cocaine abuse is the reason behind using in the first place. The most common reasons that cocaine abuse among women begins are peer pressure, rebellion against authority figures, and as an escape outlet. Typical withdrawal symptoms faced by women who abuse cocaine include:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Sweating
While cocaine use is similar between men and women, addiction rates are not. In fact, women are more likely to become addicted to cocaine compared to men. So why is that? Genetics and hormones are one of the foremost reasons for this. Cocaine is a stimulant. The hormones progesterone and estrogen interact with stimulants, escalating their impact. This makes women more likely to develop tolerance or dependence on cocaine quicker than men.
Women’s Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Cocaine addiction treatment is rarely a quick fix. Since cocaine is a highly-addictive drug, it takes time to wean the body off of it and retrain the brain to live life without cocaine. The first step in women’s cocaine addiction treatment is detox. This is the process of eliminating drugs from the body and establishing a clean foundation to begin treatment.
After detox, people begin either inpatient or outpatient therapy. Programs catering to women tend to offer single-gender programming to aid the recovery process. Inpatient treatment for women’s cocaine addiction involves a stay in a residential facility. This allows for 24/7 care and monitoring and is best for severe addiction or in cases where medical stability has to be achieved as part of treatment.
Meanwhile, outpatient treatment offers more flexibility. People attend treatment during the day for a few hours and then return home. In this scenario, gender restrictions may only apply to therapeutic settings and not treatment as a whole. Following either treatment approach is aftercare. This is a stage of ongoing and follow-up treatment that is less intense yet offers a level of accountability and support to help people stay committed to their treatment plan.
Benefits of Women’s Cocaine Addiction Treatment at Rockland Recovery
Cocaine abuse in women does not need to be treated using a single-gender or women-specific approach. Yet the customization and specificity offered by women-focused treatment make them a great option. Three of the most significant root causes of addiction are trauma, domestic abuse, and self-esteem issues. Many times, those root causes are negatively influenced or even caused by men in their lives. Having a women-only space gives clients the freedom to be vulnerable and open up during recovery. They need not be physically or psychologically afraid.
The biological and genetic differences women experience also make single-gender treatment preferable. Treatment providers can better provide targeted support and deliver resources and education specifically for women. Another benefit of women’s cocaine addiction treatment is that it creates space for women to support one another and develop strong relationships during recovery.
Discover how Rockland Recovery treats women’s cocaine addiction by calling 855.732.4842.
