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Women patients require a gender responsive approach in alcohol and drug treatment. Life circumstances are usually more complicated for women than men and more negative and traumatic experiences can occur while engaging in alcohol dependence and drug addiction. So it is especially valuable when a treatment center can address all of these issues.

A gender responsive approach suggests attention to the particular characteristics and needs of women in treatment programs at all levels of care, medical detoxification, residential, and intensive outpatient for example. Staff in women-only alcohol and drug treatment must have knowledge in these areas first, and then be able to respond to the different levels of need patients present.

Women are much more likely to be single parents than men upon admission to alcohol and drug treatment. In addition to providing child care for women who need it, staff also needs to be aware of the mother/child relationship and any legal issues surrounding the family. In cases where the child will be cared for by family or friends, contact should be made immediately and a relationship established to prepare for any possible interruptions in care.

The consequences of alcohol abuse and drug abuse also play a large part in women-only treatment. Women tend to face more legal issues as accessories to crimes, simply by being present at the scene and having knowledge of them, as well as having engaged in prostitution or drug trafficking. In any case, legal issues must be a part of treatment plans.

A trauma-informed approach is part of gender responsive treatment because anywhere from 30% to 90% of patients in a women-only treatment center have experienced some form of trauma. These patients may require mental health treatment and medical care or HIV services as treatment for co-occurring disorders.

A safe environment and security is also important for both women and children. Patients need to feel they are safe from individuals they believe are an emotional or physical threat. Children need a sense of security and understanding for many obvious reasons, but especially because they may have suffered abuse as well. Patients and children also need to know they are safe from significant others who may be trying to find and harm them.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles staffs individuals who take a gender responsive approach to alcohol and drug treatment for women. Our Long Beach facility provides a safe and secure setting for women to receive alcohol and drug treatment that includes all of the services mentioned above and more. Qualified individuals can also take advantage of our onsite child care services that include a nursery and parenting classes.

We strive to provide integrated behavioral healthcare to individuals from all walks of life, including Native American services. If you or a loved one needs help for alcohol dependence or drug addiction, please call us now at 888-777-8565 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.