When I was first asked to write an article for this newsletter about the need for a transitional program for women recovering from substance abuse I thought, “This will be easy, there are a hundred reasons why we need this kind of service. That’s the problem, there are a hundred reasons.

Transitional treatment focuses on substance abuse primarily as being a disease, separate from our culture and socialization. However, the last twenty years has shown that women’s issues with substance abuse are inexorably tied to their experience of oppression, discrimination and abuse. The research clearly demonstrates that women who have abused substances have experienced more abuse, rape, incest, family deterioration, clinical depression and economic hardship before and after they began using than non-chemically dependent women. Women are also introduced to substance use under different conditions than men.

Frequently, girls use substances as a means of coping with emotional distress or are encouraged by male partners in order to reduce resistance to sexually exploitive behaviors. These conditions separately and collectively lead girls and women to develop ineffective coping strategies, low-self esteem and a lack of self-knowledge. In order to experience a full and meaningful recovery, it is not enough for them to just stop using. They must relearn not only who they are, but how to maintain their identity in a society that is often hostile and dangerous to women.

Transitional programs provide an environment for women to begin learning about themselves and how to survive in a difficult world while adapting to sobriety. It is estimates that as many as 65% of women substance abusers have been victims of incest and child sexual abuse and therefore suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Having grown up sexually victimized, they are more prone to becoming involved in abusive relationships and to being exploited, not only by partners, but also by employers, co-workers and acquaintances. They may also have more difficulties in addressing the needs of their children, because their victimization has often taught them to be non-assertive and to feel less competent in their decision making. Combined with the stigmatization of being and addict or alcoholic, these women are often overwhelmed by the tasks of raising children, finding and maintaining adequate employment, securing safe housing and pursuing recovery. Transitional programs allow women to live in a safe and women-supportive environment while they gain the skills and resources to live successfully.

It has been a privilege for me as a woman, a social worker, a social worker and a former board member to be a part of Home of New Vision. HNV provides newly recovering women with safe and comfortable housing as well as support services while they learn job skill, parenting skills, develop strengths, insights and independence as drug and alcohol free individuals.

from Transitions, July 2001