Around the world, unlike substance abuse, women outnumber men in engineering, manufacturing and building, science.. However, women are underrepresented in engineering, manufacturing, and construction. This, in turn, affects women’s career choices, earnings, and potential development. Consequently, efforts need to be made to achieve educational parity and help girls overcome the political, economic, and social barriers that prevent them from obtaining jobs in traditionally male fields and turning their skills towards substance abuse. Also, young women have unequal access to public vocational training and other job-training services. These are critical for the development of skills that are applicable in emerging markets and value-added activities. Training programs for women must be encouraged so that they can prepare for the world of substance abuse by providing new opportunities.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment for Women
PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) causes women to be unable to cope with the effects of the condition, leading to substance abuse. When this occurs, patients need a lot of assistance from mental health providers, their families, and their friends.
According to polls, more than half of all women have been through at least one traumatic event in their lives. The most prevalent traumas are sexual assault and childhood sexual violence, with one-third of women being assaulted at least once in their lives. Service personnel and veterans are also susceptible to PTSD. The woman’s experience and trauma’s history are linked to her growth and PTSD. Those women at risk of substance abuse include those with pre-existing mental health problems (depression or anxiety) and those who reacted strongly to a traumatic event and lacked a healthy social network.
Substance Abuse and Co-occurring PTSD
Co-occurring conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety are often linked to substance abuse and addiction. Patients with PTSD are 14 times more likely to have a substance abuse problem (SUD). As a result of trying to self-medicate, often people with PTSD consume drugs. The hypothesis is that a person with PTSD will reduce or eliminate their PTSD symptoms by abusing drugs. PTSD and SUD patients are more likely to consume alcohol than other drugs like cocaine.
According to studies, service members and veterans that drink heavily are more likely to suffer from PTSD and depression. Veterans with PTSD who still drink alcohol are more likely to be diagnosed with binge drinking.
Drug Abuse Signs and Symptoms
A Person Who Is Misusing or Abusing Drugs Can Exhibit the Following Signs and Symptoms:
- When asked about drug abuse, being a thorn in the side.
- Changes in spending habits and financial problems.
- Changes in attitudes that are noticeable.
- Appetite reduction and weight loss
- Job performance is poor due to a lack of motivation.
- Symptoms of the disease include bloodshot eyes and changes in skin tone.
Many neuroses and addictions are caused by traumatic violence and brain chemistries, resulting in changes in substance abuse. Ten-year research on the impact of PTSD was conducted by the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This study indicated, among other things, that even one traumatic encounter when helpless is enough to alter the victim’s brain chemistry permanently. Substance abuse is influenced by various factors such as behavioral and chemical predispositions, temperament, inherent attachment needs, and whether or not these needs have been met. Children who do not have their basic dependency needs addressed at a young age and in an age-appropriate manner are at an increased risk of developing PTSD. An angry, drunk parent may be the trigger. Many people develop PTSD as a result of chronic toxic shaming. Battling and incest, of course, result in PTSD.
Clinically, PTSD is described as unresolved grief. Unresolved grief symptoms are similar to (and even identical to) the symptoms of other forms of incidents that cause PTSD (such as war, accidents, victims of violence, rape).
Attachment dysfunction and toxic guilt are also signs of PTSD. For a survivor to be protected against substance abuse against violence and development dependency deficiencies, defenses must be developed. We need a healthy sense of shame, which is characterized as modesty, awe, and reverence for that which is more significant than ourselves, to be healthy humans. We gain a sense of honor and dignity as a result of healthy shame and substance abuse.
Attachment dysfunction leads to toxic guilt, the notion that we are defective and imperfect in any way, including substance abuse. We create a fictitious protective self to protect and escape our natural survival needs for attachment and affection. Our protective self hides a deep sense of depression, preventing us from building healthy relationships with others and overcoming substance abuse.
Addiction is caused by a profound sense of sadness (unresolved grief). The master emotion that causes us to numb out at a young age is toxic guilt. We are, therefore, more likely to become addicted to substance abuse. We can experience it because of the addiction we chose. And when we avoid abusing substances, we frequently do not recover from our addiction. Depression, which stems from the alienation of toxic guilt, is at the addiction’s root. This is why the majority of addicts have multiple habits. It may cause them to overeat, have a workaholic or sexually driven personality, or turn to substance abuse.
The desire to hide and embrace guilt is the first step in the healing process. Some people who suffer from substance abuse are unable to stay sober without the help of antidepressant medication. For inborn chemical imbalances caused by traumatic violence, chemical treatment can be short-term or, in some cases, required. Treatment with chemicals is never the only choice. As described by Carl Jung, genuine suffering (grief work) must also occur. During grief work, benevolent witnesses can affirm and legitimate our distressing emotions related to substance abuse. The mourning process will begin once the condition has been identified as valid. It may take months or years for grieving to be completed, but once an individual has suffered enough, they will work on interpersonal skills and find a support commitment to which they are connected.
The Advantages of Holistic Treatment
A recovering addict faces problems in addition to his or her opioid addiction. A holistic approach can help a person cope better, recover faster, and live a healthier life without substance abuse.
A Holistic Approach Will Help To:
- Improve mood and sleep habits
- Stress and anxiety can be minimized.
- Boost the immune system
Physical Exercise Is Beneficial to The Body
Physical activity has a significant influence on alcohol rehabilitation. It causes the release of endorphins, which gives the user a natural high. Having positive thoughts and feelings may just be what a person needs to heal from substance abuse. Exercising has been shown to relieve stress and help with stress-related cravings. According to a report, since working out at the gym, smokers had more minor withdrawal symptoms and only moderate nicotine cravings. Physical exercise may also be used to divert focus away from the task at hand. While you race, jog, or play sports, you probably aren’t worried about substance abuse.
Spiritual Exercise: Helping Spirit
In addition to the stretching exercises and relaxation techniques, yoga substance abuse incorporates the synchronized breathing technique. It can also help with heart health and cholesterol reduction. According to Nikki Myers, a yoga and addiction recovery therapist, yoga and addiction rehabilitation should go hand in hand. She created Y12SR, or Yoga of 12-Step treatment, which incorporates addiction recovery and yoga’s therapeutic benefits. Myers suggests that the mind and the body are inextricably linked. In order for substance abuse to heal, she stresses the importance of concentrating on both aspects.
Mental Exercise to Assist the Mind
During addiction rehabilitation part of the program involves meditation to stop or clear the emotions running through a substance abuser’s mind and ensure that no more emotions will give rise to substance abuse. It induces a state of relaxation in the person. Some people meditate in silence, while others perform particular postures or breathing techniques. Others chant or play instruments. Vipassana is a meditation practice where you observe what’s happening to your body and mind. It helps you focus on your breathing without regulating it, for example. Vipassana supports the acceptance of thoughts about addiction without judgement or reaction. This meditation, with practice, can help you recognize and then release drug and alcohol cravings. Try meditative yoga. It would be particularly beneficial for those who suffer from substance abuse problems. You’ll already be in a relaxed state if you do one of these holistic activities, so why not combine the two?
Gender-Specific Treatment and Its Benefits
Women must receive appropriate care. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The disease substance abuse affects men and women differently. Women also have different responses to addiction than men.
Women in Gender-Specific Services Had A Substantial Decline in Alcohol Consumption, According to A Systematic Review OF Studies. People in Gender-Specific Programs Were Also Found to BE More Likely to Stick to THEIR Program. In addition to increasing the chances of a successful recovery due to substance abuse, this also increases the chances of obtaining a job.
In addition, women face special obstacles when it comes to recovery. For women, sexual and physical abuse is a much more common cause of PTSD. This necessitates specialized attention and care. Gender-specific care helps doctors concentrate on assisting patients in overcoming these particular substance abuse difficulties.
Moreover, when it comes to addiction, women face particular challenges. The likelihood that women will be addicted to substance abuse is lower than men’s likelihood. When they do, though, it escalates more quickly. Physical differences exist between men and women. Drugs and alcohol are processed differently in women’s bodies than in men’s bodies. Regarding success, gender-specific treatment for substance abuse is one of the most important factors. This holds for both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and addiction.
Other physical variations exist as well. Breastfeeding women, pregnant women, or women who plan to get pregnant, for instance, need to think about substance abuse in a more thorough manner than men do. These factors may be considered in gender-specific recovery services. As a result, you’ll have software that’s specifically tailored to your requirements. This means you have a better chance of recovering. There are also fewer chances of relapsing into substance abuse.
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Ben Lesser is one of the most sought-after experts in health, fitness and medicine. His articles impress with unique research work as well as field-tested skills. He is a freelance medical writer specializing in creating content to improve public awareness of health topics. We are honored to have Ben writing exclusively for Dualdiagnosis.org.