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Free To Grow
Mailman School
of Public Health
Columbia University
722 West 168th Street,
8th Floor
New York, NY 10032
Mailman School
of Public Health
Columbia University
722 West 168th Street,
8th Floor
New York, NY 10032
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Treatment issues for alcohol- and drug-dependent pregnant and parenting women Norma Finkelstein This article highlights the need for women-focused and women-sensitive ATOD treatment services. Drawing on extensive experience with women in treatment, the author reviews some of the barriers that keep women from seeking treatment for their ATOD problems. While traditional ATOD treatment focuses primarily on the individual, few women have the time, space, or ability to concentrate on themselves given their multiple relationships and responsibilities for child care and family maintenance. Moreover, traditional treatment providers often adopt a confrontational approach that makes it difficult for women to respond positively. On the other hand, some treatment approaches have proven effective with women. These approaches are characterized by: (1) comprehensiveness - they address the full range of women's needs from child care and transportation to housing and medical care; and (2) sensitivity - they understand the root causes of addiction in women, including childhood physical and sexual abuse, a harried childhood where these women took over parenting roles and responsibilities from dysfunctional parents, and lack of achievement in school or in jobs. Finally, the author challenges the entire helping system to "provide treatment [for women] within a family context" by collaborating and coordinating services, not pitting the needs of children against those of women. Health and Social Work, February 1994, 19(1): 7-15
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Disclaimer Free To Grow is a national program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University. |