Women
Women with addiction issues face different challenges and experiences related to their addiction and recovery compared to men. Women who abuse substances have a higher risk of developing other mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, major depression, eating disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Seeking Treatment
As such, it is crucial that help and support are accessible to women with addiction issues. At NAMS, a multidisciplinary team works with each individual client in the journey to recovery by providing a safe and nurturing environment to address their needs.
For more information about treatment at NAMS, click here.
If you are currently pregnant and would like to find out more, click here.
Women with addiction often face unique challenges shaped by biological, social, and caregiving roles. Understanding these differences is important in providing effective support and treatment.
Physical Changes
Alcohol and drugs can cause problems to the hormonal and physiological functions in women, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. These substances can affect the baby during pregnancy and after delivery. During the pregnancy stage, substances can impact the development of the fetus and cause congenital malformation or birth defects. They can also affect the physical growth and organs of the baby, resulting in lifelong learning, emotional and physical problems.
Relationships
Women are often introduced to substance use by their partners and family members. Research has shown that having a partner who abuses substances influences woman’s severity of substance use, treatment seeking behaviours, continuation of treatment and recovery. On the other hand, having a supportive partner who does not abuse substances significantly helps to improve the chances of achieving abstinence and recovery.
Duties
With the multiple roles and caregiving duties to various people (parents, in-laws, etc) women carry, there is a huge amount of stress that comes along. As such, some women rely on substances to cope. In treatment, women are offered the opportunity to look carefully at their relationships, including with themselves, and understand the impact of these relationships on them. At the same time, they can learn skills to improve the important relationships in their life.
Challenges
As women have very specific needs during treatment, they often face numerous barriers to seek and remain in treatment. These include their role as primary caregivers and having to take time out from family responsibilities. There is also the worry of losing relationships if families/friends/partners are also substance users. They may also experience stigma and shame from admitting to substance use and/or being in addiction treatment. They fear that admitting to substance use will jeopardise their custody of their children. Women who are pregnant may also face difficulties in finding facilities that meet their needs.
The risks during pregnancy for using drugs or alcohol can be multifold. Some of the reported complications are premature birth, impaired fetal growth or birth defects, miscarriages and even still birth. Unsupervised withdrawal from drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may be harmful to the mother and fetus. It is critical to seek medical assistance before detoxification to minimise the harms. You can speak to a General Practitioner, the gynaecologist or the addiction specialist for medical advice.
Prenatal care and delivery
Prenatal care ensures that mothers receive the essential vitamins and careful monitoring needed to prevent and treat any potential health issues to the mother and the fetus.
Most gynaecologists often ask about your lifestyle choices, including the use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Providing them with accurate information will help them make informed decisions that can impact the comfort, and more importantly the safety of both the mother and her baby during pregnancy and delivery.
Mothers, you are not alone
When you're pregnant, you may experience anxiety and intense emotions regarding your pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding and/or infant care. Fatigue, mood swings, irritability and poor sleep are a common experience among pregnant mothers. It is vital to recognize signs of depression during and post-pregnancy. Timely intervention will help you through this challenging time. Turn to your family and trusted friends for support and help. Professionals are available to provide you with the help, encouragement, understanding and support that you need as well.
For more information and assistance, please go to a nearby Family Service Centre and also refer to the links and agencies listed below.
National Addictions Management Service (NAMS)
https://www.nams.sg
All Addictions Helpline: +65 6-RECOVER (+65 6-732 6837)
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
https://www.kkh.com.sg
General enquiries: +65 6-CALL KKH (+65 6-2255 554)
Appointments: +65 6294 4050
Healthy Start For Your Pregnancy - Health Promotion Board
Download a free e-book from the website:
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/840/healthy-start-for-your-pregnancy
BABES (A Helping Hand for Pregnant Teens) – Beyond Social Service
http://babes.org.sg
24-hour Helpline: +65 8111 3535
It is Essential for Family to be Involved
Very often, it is difficult to broach the topic of addiction. Families and friends of women with addictions should understand that a gentle and supportive approach helps. What helps women to seek treatment is positive family support and intervention.
Recovery together
Family dynamics is an extremely powerful factor in addiction recovery. When the family begins to improve communication, it can be a very strong encouragement for women to get help. This can also lead the family onto a path towards recovery and even self-discovery.
Women's gender roles can prevent them from getting the help they need. Some women may feel the pull of their families or their work obligations and they may drop out of their treatment programs as a result. However, dropping out could increase the risk of them returning to their addiction. Furthermore, the relapse is accompanied by a sense of failure and hopelessness because these women believe they cannot get better.
As the women go through recovery (and make changes) so will their family. Addiction is a family disease; while addiction affects the entire family, recovery involves the entire family as well.
There is hope
Women can definitely get better in addiction treatment programs.
Addiction makes one feel lonely and isolated. Positive support is essential to the recovery of women with addiction as well as the family. The good news is, when women are on the path of recovery, so are the involved family members.
Holding back from seeking treatment
Even though you may realise you have a problem, something may be holding you back from seeking treatment. Each woman who faces a problem with addiction will have her own set of roadblocks in her path to recovery. The list shows has some common reasons that women cite:
- I am tied down by my responsibilities and duties to my family
- I don't have family support to get treatment
- My spouse or partner is also abusing substances
- I am afraid that the authorities will take my children away from me if my problem is known
- I feel shame and guilt about my problem
- I see myself as a failure, especially as a mother/daughter/wife/sister
- I feel overwhelmed by my problems and unable to see a way out
- I am not sure if treatment will make things better
- I believe I can quit/reduce the substance use or addictive behaviour on my own
- I do not have enough money to pay for the treatment
Overcoming Your Roadblocks
We shall now address these concerns that may be preventing you from seeking treatment.
Understanding the Costs and Benefits
The cost of treatment may appear to be expensive in the short term, but you also need to consider the costs of not going for treatment.
Take a sheet of paper and draw a line in the middle. On the left side of the line, write down all the consequences and losses you of your substance abuse or addictive behaviour. What did the addiction cost you socially, emotionally and financially? If you continue, what other losses will you incur?
On the right side of the line, write down the benefits you will gain if you addressed your addiction problems with help of treatment. What are the positive changes in your life that you can look forward to without addiction?
For example, because of your addictive behavior, you may not be the best mother you wish to be. If you continue, there is a high chance that things at home will worsen and authorities might get involved. You might end up losing custody of your children. On the other hand, if you get treatment, you can build a better relationship with your children and even become a good role model for them to follow.
This activity may help you to have a better understanding and make a better decision regarding seeking treatment.
Know What is Important to You
Asking yourself these important questions can help you reflect on the impact of the addiction on your life.
What gives your life meaning? Is it your work, children, spouse, friends, family, faith/spirituality, health, personal growth, community service or even your favourite hobby?
How does your addictive behaviour get in your way of achieving what you want in life?
Addiction may not look like a medical emergency but is a disease with major long term consequences, that affects you and your loved ones. Don’t delay in seeking treatment.
Know that You are Worth It
There is a stigma attached to the female with addiction problems, which can make a woman feel ashamed and guilty. While these feelings are understandable, do not let them back you from the other positive feelings you have, eg. your care and love for those around you. Entering treatment can help you address these feelings of guilt and shame and set you on the path to recovery.
Look for Support
Seek the support of your family or close friends during your recovery journey. Loving family and friends can boost your motivation with their care, concern and support.
If you are unable to find support within family or friends, you can approach the Family Service Centres (FSCs). The social service professionals at FSCs will assess the needs of your family and support you with referrals to relevant services based on your family’s circumstances, such as suitable childcare providers so you can seek treatment with greater peace of mind.
Lastly, do not let money stop you from getting help. At NAMS, our Medical Social Workers (MSW) will assess your situation and provide the necessary financial assistance. They can also link you up with an FSC within your neighbourhood for further support in the community.
Take the First Step…
At the end of the day, the decision to seek help and get the treatment you need for your addiction lies in your hands. Overcoming the various obstacles to treatment and entering treatment itself is not only life changing, but also life-giving for you.
"Faith is taking the first step when you cannot see the whole staircase." – Martin Luther King Jr
For more information on the types of treatment available at NAMS, please click here.
For direction on how to get to NAMS or contact us, click here.
