Substance abuse remains a pervasive problem across American society. Women’s heroin abuse, in particular, has been exacerbated by the opioid crisis. Many women started out with a legal prescription opioid yet, over time, developed tolerance or dependence and thus sought out stronger drugs. Heroin abuse in women is a serious issue in need of dedicated treatment. In response, addiction treatment providers like Rockland Recovery customize care to specifically address the needs of women in recovery.
Learn more about Rockland Recovery’s heroin addiction treatment program in Massachusetts by calling 855.732.4842.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is a type of opioid that is illegally distributed and used. It most often comes in a white powder. Using heroin produces an intense high. The high is short-lived, however, leading many people to use heroin regularly to chase that initial high. Over time, dependence and addiction can set in.
Women’s heroin abuse is incredibly dangerous. Numerous side effects and long-term impacts stem from heroin abuse. Some of the most common are:
- Internal organ damage
- Heart problems
- Higher risk of infections when it is injected
- Impaired mental functioning
- Mental health disorders
Compounding the risk for heroin users is the fact that heroin is often cut with other substances. That means it is mixed with other drugs or even household products like cornstarch or powdered milk. This is done so that a heroin dealer can stretch their supply.
Benefits of Women’s Heroin Addiction Treatment
Heroin addiction treatment is often conducted in mixed-gender settings. There is nothing wrong with that. Many women find mixed-gender treatment more than adequate during recovery. But the fact remains that men and women experience addiction differently and bring different concerns to recovery. Moreover, hormonal and biological differences between men and women influence treatment methods. This means women’s heroin addiction treatment is regularly preferred.
One of the biggest benefits of women’s heroin addiction treatment is the safe environment. Trauma is one of the biggest root causes of addiction. For many women, those traumatic experiences involve men, such as in the case of domestic violence. Attending treatment in a mixed-gender setting could actually be triggering and stunt their growth in recovery. They need the physical and psychological safety presented by women-only treatment.
Women’s heroin addiction treatment programs can also target their approach to issues that are more prevalent among women. That could include gender discrimination, low self-esteem, or body image issues. Moreover, some women enter addiction treatment while pregnant. They may face difficult choices or a great deal of stress as they navigate recovery and pregnancy. Doing that is best in women-focused treatment.
Addressing Heroin Abuse in Women at Rockland Recovery
Rockland Recovery takes a holistic approach to addressing heroin abuse in women. For starters, mental health disorders regularly overlap with substance abuse disorders. People who struggle with both are said to have a dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis cases are common among people who abuse heroin. This is because of the way heroin disrupts the pleasure centers in the brain and makes it hard to experience normal, positive emotions when not taking the drug.
Dual diagnosis treatment takes a comprehensive view of each client to ensure their full needs are met. The foundation of women’s heroin addiction treatment is therapy. One of the most common addiction therapies is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is delivered in either group or individual settings. Another benefit of women’s heroin addiction treatment is that it naturally lends itself to group therapy. Over time, women in therapy learn to deal with and overcome depression, anxiety, disordered eating, substance abuse, and more.
Find out more about how women’s heroin addiction treatment can benefit you or a loved one by contacting 855.732.4842.
