Women Approach Addiction Recovery Differently
Research involving women who used to be addicted to alcohol showed that they typically overcame their addiction by replacing it with a new lifestyle. They actively sought out new activities in their lives that they could be passionate about, such as becoming focused on a career, going back to school, starting a workout program, and/or volunteering for a community cause. This study was conducted at Ohio University with a relatively small group of women.
The issue of women dealing with alcoholism is an important one because their rates are increasing. Women now make up approximately one-fourth of all people suffering from alcohol abuse in the United States. They tend to encounter different issues in dealing with the condition that men do, and they often begin drinking for different reasons. This study shows that they also use different methods of overcoming alcoholism.
Many people think that women make decisions such as beginning an alcohol rehabilitation program for their children or family. However, those who try to do it for the benefit of other people typically end up relapsing. It’s important to find new activities and passions in life so that they can build self-esteem and have a reason to recover for themselves. The study also mentioned that the shift away from alcoholism for these women was usually a gradual one. Rather than trying to transform their identities into being a different person, their goal was to uncover their true selves. Some of these findings contradict older theories about alcoholism.
Half of the women in the study sought assistance from another source, while the other half went through recovery on their own. Seeking help from a treatment program or rehab facility can also be an important step in addiction recovery. For many people, it is necessary to get professional help before they are capable of changing their lives in other ways.
Posted: March 12th, 2008 under Women and depression.
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