Alcoholism is a disease that does not discriminate and can affect men and women alike. The reasons that people turn to alcohol are varied but factors such as gender can be significant – and play into how effective recovery can be.  

Ridding yourself of drugs or alcohol requires a strong intervention with effective treatment in a safe and secure environment. Women must find the help they need at a treatment centre that is aware of the differences and unique struggles that females face with alcohol addiction.

Alcohol Addiction in Women

In the latest ONS report, it stated that though more men enter treatment “in the alcohol only group the divide is smaller with men making up 58% and women 42%.” In society, it is more socially acceptable for men to drink in larger quantities and more frequently, often seen as a symbol of masculinity, and women that drink to excess are looked upon badly.

The shame around alcohol addiction in women stops them from getting the help they need. Yes, men are more likely to become addicted to substances but women can become addicted much more quickly, more likely to relapse and face more unique reasons for their drinking.

Due to the social and biological differences between men and women, the experiences of alcoholism can be very different – and sometimes this means that the treatment must be.

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Are you suffering from Alcohol Addiction and need help?  Ocean Recovery is a leading UK based expert in Private Alcohol Rehab. Find out how we can help by getting in touch with our friendly team today.

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Alcohol Rehabilitation for Women

Gender-specific treatments can be useful for women. Providing a safe and secure environment for women is vital to women, where they are comfortable voicing their opinions and causes of their addiction.

Events such as sexual assault and domestic abuse are more prevalent in women, and some men will not grasp the intricacies of these situations or be as understanding. In an all-women setting, it will be more supportive and understanding.

If women feel unsafe at rehab, they are more likely to quit and not get the help they need to overcome addiction. Due to the sensitivity of these issues like sexual assault, abuse, and other mental health issues rehab centres such as Ocean Recovery always procure user consent prior to any treatment beginning. 

Treatment and Therapy Options

Ocean Recovery’s approach to addiction treatments is built on a combination of medical treatment, evidence-based therapies, and holistic therapies. Women that attend Ocean Recovery treatment facilities gain access to effective, industry-leading help and support. 

Treatment programs for alcohol begin with detoxification. With this process, your body will be weaned off alcohol – ending your physical dependency. Medication will be administered to ease withdrawal symptoms if they arise. With a detoxing program, Ocean Recovery must consider women-specific biological factors such as pregnancy or women undergoing menopause.

Making sure the medication administered is safe for women in these positions is vitally important, as safety and care are our major concerns. Women are also more likely to suffer from eating disorders and this too will be considered when constructing the most effective detox plan. 

Most time spent at alcohol rehab will be in therapy. During your time with us, you will take part in individual DBT and CBT therapies, and group therapy groups and engage in social activities. Women will also greatly benefit from well-being treatments such as yoga and meditation – being more likely to take part in these activities than men.

Creating these safe spaces where women feel comfortable talking about issues more specific to the female experiences will encourage more women to seek help. Encouraging social activities between women in the centre will help develop a sense of community and trust that may be sorely lacking in some women’s lives.

At Ocean Recovery, we understand that mental health and addiction are often closely linked. For women, concerns about motherhood, being in abusive relationships or struggling in a male-dominated workplace are likely to cause mental health issues that could lead to addiction. Because of this, we offer dual-diagnosis treatment with will deal with co-occurring disorders, such as depression, alongside your addiction.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

The time after completing drug and alcohol rehab is an essential part of a woman’s recovery. Unfortunately, women are more likely to experience stronger cravings after getting sober and thus more likely to relapse – though they also benefit from different forms of recovery support.

At Ocean Recovery we understand the importance of this section of the recovery journey. To help in this time, we offer a free 12-month aftercare package. Women are more likely to enter back into a pressured environment of childcare, school runs and working – so this package is there to help guide you through the difficult first months of sobriety.

Our aftercare treatment plan revolves around attending weekly support meetings. Through women-only groups, you can continue to connect and build a network with women who have similar life experiences and understand what it is to be a female addict. In a more supportive post-rehab environment, women can continue to address issues that they more commonly struggle with such as the stigma of female addiction, sexual assault and postpartum depression.

If you become more comfortable discussing these issues in a smaller women-only group, hopefully, that will increase your confidence and will – causing these painful issues to lose their power and be less likely to lead back to addiction.

By having a regular dialogue with other women, you will continue the work that began in residential rehab and develop your coping techniques. This will help you better deal with addiction triggers that you’re likely to encounter daily. Amongst women in the same situation, hopefully, you will build a wider support network that can guide you through the hard times and keep you accountable.

Aftercare is proven to help with relapse prevention. Those women that are active in their recovery will be more likely to achieve long-term recovery and not have to enter more rehab programs in the future.

Live Chat  FREE telephone addiction assessment at Ocean recovery

At Ocean recovery, we offer a free telephone addiction assessment with one of our addiction specialists. During this 20/30-minute confidential assessment, our addiction expert will ask you questions about your situation and addiction to best help understand what addiction treatment will benefit you, and which of our UK addiction rehab treatment centres will best suit your particular needs.

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Get in Touch Today

If you are a woman and looking to find out more about our alcohol treatment services and how Ocean Recovery can help, contact a member of our team at 01253 847 553 or go to the website and fill out the form. Our admissions process is quick, stress-free and we can get you into a rehab facility in just a few days – so you can start your long-term recovery journey today. 

Areas We Cover

See below list of just some of the locations our leading alcohol rehab service covers in the United Kingdom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right rehab treatment provider can be a life-changing decision; here are some of the most common questions we are asked pre-admission.

How long can you stay in a rehab facility?

With Ocean Recovery the average person stays for a 28-day programme. This is enough time to get completely clean and build a good foundation that will help you with long-term recovery. However, there is no set length time. The treatment you will receive is catered towards you, and your circumstance may require a longer stay. The length of your stay can also depend on the cost you are willing to pay – as the longer you stay the more it will cost.

What are the benefits of inpatient drug rehab?

Inpatient drug rehab takes you away from the environment where you were consuming substances. Removing these daily triggers and temptations is vital in achieving long-term recovery. You can also completely focus on your treatment in a safe and secure environment. With inpatient rehab you will also be cared for 24/7, ensuring you with the necessary support. Inpatient rehab allows you to connect with others in similar situations and hopefully build a support network that can last beyond rehab.

How much does alcohol rehab cost?

The cost of rehab varies from facility to facility. There is also a change in price depending on the type of programme you undergo – whether it be outpatient, inpatient or just a detox programme. For a 28-day inpatient programme, you’ll probably spend around £6000. The longer you stay the more you will be paying, but it also gives you the best chance at this being a one-time investment.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: December 22, 2023

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.

Dr Adel Ghaly

    Dr Adel Ghaly - Clinical Reviewer - Last reviewed: December 18, 2023

    MB BCh, Psychological Medicine (Substance Misuse Psychiatry) from 2002

    Dr Adel Ghaly is a registered Doctor who is a specialist psychiatrist. Dr Ghaly gained an MB BCh in 1982 from Assiut University and has since become a substance misuse specialist and psychiatrist. After gaining his qualification in Psychological Medicine (Substance Misuse Psychiatry) in 2002, Dr Ghaly has worked in hospitals and as a specialist trainer recognised by the GMC.

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