National studies have shown that drug addition is increasing among women. If would be safe to acknowledge that there is an increase as well concerning women and alcohol.
It is difficult to get exact numbers as to the increase, for women are often reticent to seek treatment for their addiction.
The women who do seek treatment for addiction often reveal high levels of depression and anxiety as well as low levels of self-esteem and self-confidence. Past experience with domestic abuse and childhood trauma are often present as well. If you couple that with the social stigma that is attached to women in addiction, one can easily see that recovery is no small feat. It can be difficult for a woman to gather the courage to seek treatment for her addiction.
With that being said each year many women to make an attempt to change the destructive behaviors that have been hindering their lives. They take that first small step into living life in a whole new way. Establishing recovery under the best of circumstances is difficult. When a woman enters recovery and is carrying the incredible burden of guilt that is often experienced as a direct result of a history of addiction, support from other women is crucial.
That is in not to suggest that everyone in that person’s life and recovery network is less important, but to indicate that support from other recovering women can make a huge difference between success and failure. Women coming into recovery are often suffering with low self-esteem and self-confidence. The guilt that is carried from feelings of not living up to the traditional wife and mother roles can be back breaking. Getting help from other women who have experienced those same feelings can go a long way in assisting the newly recovering woman to begin to forgive herself. Learning to be a woman recovering from addiction takes time and practice.
As the newly recovering woman begins to make different choices with respect to her addiction, healing can begin. Self-esteem and self-confidence will start to be restored and a new pattern of living can begin to be enjoyed. Trying to make all these changes alone, while not impossible is definitely the harder road to travel. Recovery is built upon a series of small steps one day at a time.
The thinking that keeps a woman in addiction is not the same thinking that keeps a woman in recovery. It is difficult to know exactly how to change all the destructive patterns that have defined a life in addiction. Many hospitals offer addiction counseling
which will bring recovering women in contact with other recovering women. Alcoholics Anonymous is an established twelve step recovery program where recovering woman support one another. The same holds true for Narcotics Anonymous. These offer good options for women who are new to recovery but truly want to recover from addiction.
Recovery is hard work but the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. To give a recovering woman the best possible chance at success, support is priceless.
Maureen Staiano is a Life Coach specializing in working with women and the unique challenges, opportunities and transitions we face in our lives. Maureen has worked with people recovering from addictions for more than six years. Please visit Maureen at: http://www.achieveyourdreamcoaching.com
