Questions to be Addressed

What are the consequences of drug abuse for women?
What happens during treatment?
Why do some women refuse to seek treatment for drug abuse?
Is there a connection between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS?
What treatment is available for women?
Where can I call if I have questions related to drug abuse?
Are there any additional on-line resources about drug abuse?
How can I locate a drug abuse treatment program?

See also . . .

* Alcohol
* Smoking

What are the consequences of drug abuse for women?

Research indicates that women can become addicted quickly to certain drugs, such as crack cocaine, even after casual or experimental use. Therefore, by the time a woman enters treatment, she may be severely addicted, making treatment more difficult. This is also true when a woman becomes dependent on prescription painkillers.
What happens during treatment?

Treatment should include an evaluation of other serious health problems- associated with drug abuse. For women, some of these problems are:

*Poor nutrition and below-average weight
*Low self-esteem
*Depression
*Physical abuse
*If pregnant, pre-term labor or early delivery
*Serious medical and infectious diseases (e.g., increased blood pressure and heart rate, STDs, HIV/AIDS).

Why do some women refuse to seek treatment for drug abuse?

Many drug-using women do not seek treatment because they are afraid, they worry they won't be able to keep or care for their children, they fear reprisal from their spouses or boyfriends, and they fear punishment from authorities in the community. Many women report that their drug-using male sex partners initiated them into drug abuse and then sabotaged their efforts to quit using drugs.

Is there a connection between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS?

Yes. AIDS is now the fourth leading cause of death among women of childbearing age in the United States. It is the leading cause of death for African-American women between the ages of 25 and 44. Because HIV/AIDS often is transmitted through shared needles or syringes, women who inject drugs or share drug paraphernalia are at an increased risk of getting the deadly disease. In addition, under the influence of illicit drugs and alcohol, a woman's judgement can become impaired. As a result, women may engage in unprotected sex, which also increases their risk for contracting or transmitting HIV/AIDS. Among the 1.5 million injecting drug users, 14% are known to be infected with HIV.

What treatment is available for women?

Research indicates that more than 4 million women need treatment for drug abuse. Unfortunately, there are some significant reasons, as stated above, why many women do not seek help. Research shows that women receive the most benefit from drug treatment programs that provide comprehensive services for meeting their basic needs, including access to:

*Food, clothing, and shelter
*Transportation
*Job counseling and training
*Legal assistance
*Literacy training and educational opportunities
*Parenting training
*Family therapy
*Medical care
*Child care
*Social services
*Social support
*Psychological assessment and mental health care
*Assertiveness training
*Family planning services.

Traditional male-oriented drug treatment programs may not be appropriate for women because those programs may not provide these services. Research also indicates that for women in particular, treatment is more successful when they stay in regular touch with their treatment provider. When a woman lapses during the treatment and recovery process; it is important that they get the support of the community and encouragement of those closest to them. After completing a drug treatment program, women also need services to assist them in sustaining their recovery and in rejoining the community.

Where can I call if I have questions related to drug abuse?

A toll-free hotline is available to provide free, confidential answers to women seeking help for themselves or for someone they care about, or to provide referral to a local drug treatment program. The National Drug Information, Treatment, and Referral Line is reached through 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-66-AYUDA for Spanish-speaking callers.) The hotline operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 3 a.m.

Are there any additional on-line resources about drug abuse?

Yes, the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information's PREVline is an electronic communication system dedicated to exchanging ideas and information concerning alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug problem prevention. Home pages of federal agencies and services, clearinghouses and other related online services can be accessed through PREVline or directly through the following addresses:

*Department of Health and Human Services is the principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
*Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's site also provides access to the home pages of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) and Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).
*National Institutes of Health is one of the foremost biomedical research centers and the Federal focal point for biomedical research in the U.S.
*National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism supports and conducts biomedical research on the causes, consequences, treatment and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.
*National Institute on Drug Abuse brings the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.
*National Library of Medicine is the world's largest library dealing with a single scientific/professional topic, carrying over 4.5 million holdings.
*Drug Enforcement Administration enforces the controlled substances laws and regulations of the U.S.
*Indian Health Service is an agency of the Public Health Service providing health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
*Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Drugs and Crime Clearinghouse specializes in disseminating information on drug-use trends, drug-related crime issues and national drug-control policy.
*The Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland, College Park, collects, analyzes and disseminates information on the nature and extent of substance abuse and related problems in Maryland and nationally.
*Hazelden is a non-profit organization providing high-quality, affordable rehabilitation, education, prevention and professional services and publications relating to chemical dependency and related disorders.
*Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a non-profit organization that aims to stop drunk driving and to support the victims of this violent crime.
*Indiana Prevention Resource Center is a statewide clearinghouse for technical assistance on prevention and information about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
*Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources is part of the University Health Services at the University of Wisconsin-Madison providing educational materials and training information.

How can I locate a drug abuse treatment program?

You can call 1-800-662-HELP or use a national directory of substance and alcohol abuse treatment programs is available on the Internet.
For more information...

You can find out more about substance abuse and treatment by contacting the following organizations:

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
Phone: (800) 449-2559 (Children's Line to Wally Bear & the Know), (800) 729-6686 (General Inquiries, and Publication Service)
Internet Address: http://www.health.org/

National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Hotline
Phone: (800) 662-4357 (Drug & Alcohol Treatment Referrals)
Internet Address: http://www.samhsa.gov/csat/csat.htm

American Council for Drug Education
Phone: (800) 488-3784
Internet Address: http://www.acde.org/

American Council on Alcoholism
Phone: (800) 527-5344 Help Line
Internet Address: http://www.aca-usa.org/

This information was abstracted from fact sheets prepared by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (CDC Report Highlights Link Between Drug Abuse and Spread of HIV).

All material contained in the FAQs is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services; citation of the sources is appreciated.