Citation

Covington SS. J. Psychoactive Drugs 2008; 40(Suppl 5): 377-385.

Affiliation

Center for Gender and Justice, Institute for Relational Development, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. sc@stephaniecovington.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Haight-Ashbury Publications in association with the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19248395

Abstract

Historically, substance abuse treatment has developed as a single-focused intervention based on the needs of addicted men. Counselors focused only on the addiction and assumed that other issues would either resolve themselves through recovery or would be dealt with by another helping professional at a later time. However, treatment for women's addictions is apt to be ineffective unless it acknowledges the realities of women's lives, which include the high prevalence of violence and other types of abuse. A history of being abused increases the likelihood that a woman will abuse alcohol and other drugs. This article presents the definition of and principles for gender-responsive services and the Women's Integrated Treatment (WIT) model. This model is based on three foundational theories: relational-cultural theory, addiction theory, and trauma theory. It also recommends gender-responsive, trauma-informed curricula to use for women's and girls' treatment services.

Language: en