Professionals in addiction recovery absolutely and unanimously support the benefits of gender specific treatment in terms of addiction recovery. Especially in dual-diagnosis rehabilitation, where the treatment goal is to uncover the co-occurring disorder(s) generating the alcohol or drug use and then reconcile them in a healthy manner, the differences in the underlying addiction issues between men and women are often extremely disparate. Both certainly deserve “equal rights.” Alcohol treatment centers for women, however, have only made their debut, at least in a sophisticated and comprehensive manner, in the very recent past.

Women who have experienced both co-ed and also gender-specific recovery treatment have found that their ability to relax and become authentically honest about their real problems is much easier in a women’s only treatment center. Addiction specialists are not surprised by this. Effective therapeutic treatment can be hindered due to the differences in behaviors, attitudes, and emotional and psychological needs among men and women. Many top rehabs that once carried a male-heavy patient population have since evolved into more evenly mixed co-ed programs and are now closely following the incredible success being achieved by newer programs designed for gender-specific treatment. Alcohol treatment centers for women, especially, have been targeted by rehab “business development” professionals looking to promote the most optimal recovery solution possible.

Alcohol treatment centers for women, and female addiction in general, were until very recently, not even a subject which was discussed in “polite company.” Fortunately, thanks to the courageous honesty of women like Betty Ford, Carrie Fisher and of course, “celebutantes” like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears, not only are women finally able to “come clean” about their struggles with drugs and alcohol, but there are finally gender specific resources to help them overcome their addiction and co-occuring problems.

Professionals in addiction recovery absolutely and unanimously support the benefits of gender specific treatment in terms of addiction recovery. Especially in dual-diagnosis rehabilitation, where the treatment goal is to undercover the co-occurring disorder(s) generating the alcohol or drug use and then reconcile them in a healthy manner, the differences in the underlying addiction issues between men and women are often extremely disparate. Both certainly deserve “equal rights.” Alcohol treatment centers for women, however, have only made their debut, at least in a sophisticated and comprehensive manner, in the very recent past. Women who have experienced both co-ed and also gender specific recovery treatment have found that their ability to relax and become authentically honest about their real problems is much easier in gender specific, women’s only rehab. Professionals are not surprised. Any time you mix genders, whether it is in a social or therapeutic environment, basic animal instinct is going to imbue the room and innate behaviors will undoubtedly skew the integrity of the work to be accomplished. Thus, many top rehabs, which once boasted a male-heavy population, then evolved into more evenly mixed co-ed programs, are now closely following the incredible success being achieved by newer programs specifically designed for gender specific recovery. Alcohol treatment centers for women, especially, have been targeted by rehab “business development” pros looking to promote the most optimal recovery solutions possible.

Females are not only less sensitive to the sedating effects of alcohol, but researchers at Duke University Medical Center have also found that the cycling hormonal levels of women can mediate alcohol’s effects, making them more vulnerable to negative consequences of drinking. Thus, though rehabilitation centers for men exclusively have been in existence for some time, there now is an answer to the call for alcohol treatment centers for women, as well. Harmony Place, through their original dual diagnosis Malibu program, recognized this need and has been providing gender specific drug and alcohol treatment for women to great success. More information about alcohol treatment centers for women can be found through the Harmony Place Exclusively For Women website, at www.harmonyplace.net