The impact of substance use on women seeking treatment, perceptions of helpfulness of services, and differences between women and providers

Increases in women using illicit substances pose a serious public health problem for the nation. Not only do women play an important role in the development of others, they also impact the lives of many people around them. Understanding how women who use substances believe their life has been impacted by their use, provides a way to customize treatment and assist in the recovery of their life. The purpose of this study was to investigate how substance use has impacted the lives of women and how treatment services have helped them achieve and maintain abstinence, while also examining any differences that might exist between women’s perceptions and those of direct substance use treatment providers. A total of 29 participants (i.e., 19 female clients & 10 providers) were surveyed and 17 (i.e., six female clients & 11 providers) interviewed. Quantitative analyses revealed no statistically significant differences between female clients and providers regarding the impact of substance use on women. Results of qualitative data identified seven themes for impact of substance use: being an addict (disease of addiction*1), immediate family, life, relationships, self , everything*, and morals and values*. Results also identified seven themes in response to the helpfulness of treatment services: education, healing**2, self, therapy, tools, recovering life*, and support. Minor differences were identified in qualitative data surrounding impact areas and helpfulness revealing areas where progress can be made. Utilizing an ecological model results were analyzed in an effort to better understand how to assist women who are seeking treatment services and those who may require services in the future.

Author

• Garcia, Juliana K.

Identifier

hdl:10057/18996

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:soar.wichita.edu:10057/18996