In the United States, addiction is a serious problem for millions of women. Historically, men have been more likely than women to drink or abuse drugs. However, women face an equal risk when it comes to substance abuse, and the gap between genders is narrowing. In the 1980s, the ratio of men to women with alcohol use disorders was 5:1. Recent studies reveal that this ratio has shifted to 3:1, highlighting a significant increase in alcohol misuse among women.1
Women struggle daily with withdrawals and cravings to the point of causing serious medical and psychological harm. Finding addiction treatment for women is imperative if you or a loved one is abusing alcohol or drugs and wants to stop before it’s too late. You can beat the addiction safely and effectively by finding a treatment program that supports women and the reasons behind their abuse. The Right Step is a full-service addiction treatment center that works with women who struggle to control their drinking or drug abuse. Our women’s rehab in Houston offers a welcoming space where you can focus on healing. We have separate men’s and women’s programs that can be more effective than a coed treatment program due to the natural distractions caused by the opposite sex.
What is gender-specific treatment?
Gender-specific treatment refers to a treatment program that separates men and women into their own private treatment programs. It acknowledges that there are gender differences between men and women, and this can lead to conflicts within a treatment program. This can include distractions from their recovery goals, not being truly open and honest in recovery, and women can develop insecurities around men that can contribute to their drinking.
In a women-only treatment program, they can focus on the issues that started their drinking or drug abuse without any distractions from a male presence. Why’s this important? They can focus more on the cause behind the abuse. Some of the common reasons women turn to drugs and alcohol include:
- Early childhood trauma or neglect
- Women are more likely to self-medicate to treat depression and anxiety
- Coping with a stressful life
- Peer pressure
- Lack of social support
- Isolation and loneliness
- Difficult life transitions, such as the loss of a partner or a custody battle over children
These issues are critical to women. When they participate in gender-specific treatment, they’ll benefit from talking with a female therapist and working with their female peers.
The benefits of addiction treatment for women
Finding addiction treatment for women isn’t that difficult these days. In Texas, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), 32.5% of the demand for mental health professionals is being met, surpassing the national average of 27.7%. Mental health professionals with experience in treating addiction run The Right Step’s women’s rehab.
Addiction treatment focuses on self-care
Women will often neglect themselves as they continue to care for others, and this includes abusing drugs and alcohol. Therapists will teach you how to care for yourself through yoga and exercise, meditation, healthy eating, journaling, and other self-care techniques that include:
- Getting plenty of sleep
- Spending time in nature
- Reducing stress through meditation
- Being mindful
- Practicing gratitude daily
- Engage in fun, creative activities
A therapist can help you discover new ways to care for yourself while recovering.
Building healthy connections with your peers
One of the greatest benefits of an addiction treatment program is the connections you’ll make with your peers. You’ll connect with them through group discussions, role-playing activities, adventure therapy, and other holistic programs in group therapy. These relationships will support you long after the program ends when triggers and cravings return, even years after your last drink.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
Medication has been used to treat withdrawals and cravings for a long time. Medical staff will administer medications based on your treatment plan. For opioid use disorder (OUD), they’ll use:
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine
- Naltrexone
- Lofexidine
For alcohol use disorder (AUD), they’ll use acamprosate, you won’t, and naltrexone to help reduce cravings and relapses. They’ll monitor you throughout the program and make any changes as necessary. As withdrawals and cravings fade, so will the need for medication. They’ll begin tapering you off the medication over time so you’ll not feel any negative side effects.
Family support
A key step in recovering from addiction is fostering healthier communication within your family. By working with a therapist, parents, spouses, siblings, and children can address unresolved conflicts that might otherwise lead to relapse. Through this process, families gain a deeper understanding of addiction—how it takes hold and impacts a person—and learn how to support the recovery journey actively. Together, they can build a stable, supportive, safe home environment that nurtures healing and long-term success.
Call The Right Step for women’s rehab in Houston
The Right Step in Houston supports Texas women who have developed an addiction to alcohol, cocaine, prescription opioids, or other addictive substances. Our Houston rehab center can offer separate men’s and women’s rehab programs to get to the heart of the problem and teach you several healthy coping skills. We’ll create a tailored treatment program based on your symptoms and triggers while building supportive relationships with other women in the program.
To join our addiction treatment for women in Houston, message us online or call 17135283709 today to schedule a consultation and tour of our center.
Footnote:
PubMed Central. “Substance Abuse in Women.” Accessed April 24 2025.
