Co-Occurring Disorders are More Likely to Affect Young Women

According to studies by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, young women are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders than their male counterparts of comparable age. Specifically, girls from the ages of 12 to 17 have an increased likelihood of having a co-occurring disorder, and are most likely to indicate alcohol or inhalants as their main abuse substance. Not surprisingly, girls from the same age group are also reportedly more likely to begin substance abuse treatment at an earlier age than their male counterparts. Moreover, girls were found to comprise just under a third of the total admissions for treatment of substance abuse within the 12-17 age group.

Even before the release of the study’s results, we at Harmony Place had long known that people who are afflicted with certain mental disorders also have a high risk of acquiring co-occurring mood disorders. In a similar vein, people with mood disorders are at a high risk of having co-occurring mental disorders. Co-occurring disorders that are mental in nature include substance abuse disorders.

Furthermore, according to the Administrations studies, more girls than boys pointed to alcohol, cocaine, and opiates as their primary drug of abuse as well. As mentioned, females were also shown to be more likely than males to come in for co-occurring disorder treatment for alcohol abuse before the age of 16, which is why we exist today.

To address the need for gender-specific treatment, we at the Harmony Place have instituted a 12-Step Program that is focused on women’s issues and concerns. We believe that understanding a woman’s unique psychological makeup, as a complement to standard physiological treatment, can help our clients overcome their co-occurring disorders. We take on these challenges in order to help our guests become the strong, independent women that they were always meant to be.