Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women

The primary goal of this Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series TIP No. 51 is to assist substance abuse treatment providers in offering effective, up-to-date treatment to adult women with substance use disorders. This TIP reviews gender-specific research and best practices beginning with the common patterns of initiation of substance use among women and extending to specific treatment issues and strategies across substance abuse treatment services.

In the last 15 years, women-specific substance abuse research and gender-responsive treatment strategies have dramatically increased, thus providing this TIP with a wealth of women-specific resources to guide its development.

This TIP provides clinical and administrative information to assist counselors, clinical supervisors, program administrators, and others working with female clients with substance use disorders on how they can best respond to the specific treatment needs of women. The TIP will provide researchers and clinicians with a guide to sources of information and topics for further inquiry.

NOTE: NO FURTHER DISCOUNTS FOR ALREADY REDUCED SALE ITEMS.

Table of Contents:

What Is a TIP?

Consensus Panel

Editorial Board

KAP Expert Panel and Federal Government Participants

Foreword

Executive Summary

Chapter 1: Creating the Context

Overview

Creating the Context

Gender Responsive Treatment Principles

Women’s Biopsychosocial Uniqueness

Organization of this TIP

Chapter 2: Patterns of Use: From Initiation to Treatment

Overview

Initiation of Use Among Women

Risk Factors Associated with Initiation of Substance Use and the Development of Substance Use Disorders Among Women

Patterns and Prevalence of Substance Use Among Women

Prevalence of Substance Abuse and Dependence Among Women

Chapter 3: Physiological Effects of Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco on Women

Overview

Physiological Effects and Consequences of Substance Abuse in Women

Physiological Effects: Factors of Influence

Physiological Effects of Alcohol

Physiological Effects of Licit and Illicit Drugs

Physiological Effects of Tobacco Use

Effects of Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco Use on Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes

Effects of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs on HIV/AIDS Status

Chapter 4: Screening and Assessment

Overview

The Difference Between Screening and Assessment

Screening and Assessment: Factors of Influence

Screening

Assessment

Chapter 5: Treatment Engagement, Placement, and Planning

Overview

Barriers to Treatment Engagement

Treatment Engagement Strategies

Considerations in Treatment Placement and Planning

Levels of Care

Chapter 6: Substance Abuse Among Specific Population Groups and Settings

Overview

Racially and Ethnically Diverse Women

Sexual Orientation and Women

Women in Later Life

Women in Rural America

Resources for Other Special Populations and Settings

Women in the Criminal Justice System

Women Who Are Homeless

Chapter 7: Substance Abuse Treatment for Women

Overview

Treatment Retention

Women’s Treatment Issues and Needs

Addressing Tobacco Use With Women in Treatment

Chapter 8: Recovery Management and Administrative Considerations

Overview

Continuing Care

Treatment Outcome

Support Systems for Women

Administrative Considerations

Appendix A: Bibliography

Appendix B: CSAT’s Comprehensive Substance Abuse Treatment Model for Women and Their Children

Appendix C: Screening and Assessment Instruments

Appendix D: Allen Barriers to Treatment Instrument

Appendix E: DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Appendix F: Integration Self-Assessment for Providers

Appendix G: Resource Panel Members

Appendix H: Cultural Competency and Diversity Network Participants

Appendix I: Field Reviewers

Appendix J: Acknowledgments

This publication is aimed at assisting substance abuse treatment providers who treat adult women with substance use disorders.  Medical practitioners and researchers, as well as leaders of programs dedicating to helping women with substance use disorders, will find this publication useful, as will women who wish to learn more about the risks of substance abuse and how it can be treated and by what kinds of specialists.