Women face unique barriers in getting help from Addiction and alcoholism. There is a stigma that Women, especially mothers, “should be stronger than that.” When these standards are not met, shame is created. It leads women to believe that they are bad women or mothers. Shame leaves a deep wound that needs to heal. The homemaker stereotype has never been so damaging. Mothers fear of losing their children to the justice system. The stigma altercates the belief that women who are suffering from an addiction are bad mothers. This is not true. The fear is strong enough to keep women hiding and denying their addiction.

Women face a large self-esteem deprecation. Over years of conditioning, women believe that they are not worth the help. Domestic abuse leads women to misunderstand respect and love.  These beliefs affect all groups regardless of race or sexual orientation. As a matter of fact, women of color and LGBTQ community face a higher risk of domestic and sexual violence. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, domestic violence and addiction in women are co-occurring. This includes physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. It expands into social isolation, emotional manipulation, threats, and depriving women of the dignity they deserve. “Substance abuse has been found to co-occur in 40-60% of IPV [Intimate Partner Violence] incidents across various studies.”* This is a social disease that has permeated the mental health nationwide.

More women stand up and speak out about their abuse, addiction, and Recovery. The most beautiful movement is that these women turn around to help the next woman in recovery. In honor of International Women’s day, we have compiled a few words to and from women in recovery.

“This way of life was what I was always looking for all along. I gave up the pain and misery of searching for a solution through drinking. I was hiding from life and postponing pain: it always came back. Recovery gave me relief and the beginning of my life. I’m part of a miracle and I’m grateful. There’s magic in how it works.” -Shelby

“I thought I was searching for happiness. But I was always searching for a relationship with myself. The kind people talk about, its called self-love. I wanted to feel at home in my own skin. After beginning the process of healing from my own version of hell, I began to find peace with myself and the world.  I didn’t know that my hopelessness was what I needed to look for peace with the desperation of a drowning woman. Because of recovery, I finally found a home within myself.” -Courtney

“I had no respect for my body or my mind…I didn’t care I didn’t know. I thought what I was doing was self-love. I had never had it so twisted. I was in abusive relationships, doing things I didn’t want to do… drinking and doing drugs was not the self-love I made myself believe it was. I was destroying my body and my spirit. My first real act of self-love was trying–as hard as it was– to find sobriety. I found more than an ability to not drink or do drugs… I found out what love is. I misguided myself before, and now I am on this journey of truth.” -Virginia

New River Wellness Center understands and respects the needs of women in recovery. That is why we offer gender-specific treatment options. Your recovery can be as safe and supported as you need it to be. Do not be afraid to save yourself. Your life is worth it. You are worth it. We are here to help, and remind you that you are never alone. 

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