What Are the Pros and Cons of Women’s Rehab Centers

After a long day at the office, you kick off your heels and uncork a bottle of your favorite wine. What started as a weekend celebration has become an after-work ritual — one that has begun to worry you. A single nightly glass of red turned into two, then four. Now you’re killing the bottle and waking up with a hangover. At what point does your drinking become serious enough to warrant considering professional treatment?

You’re not the first person in this situation, and you won’t be the last. Women all over the world develop alcohol use disorder without even realizing it. The female body metabolizes alcohol differently than the male body, causing us to develop dependence much faster than our husbands, boyfriends, guy friends, or fathers. If you’ve tried and failed to cut back on your own, it might be time to consider a women’s addiction treatment center.

What Is a Women’s Rehab Center?

A women’s rehab center is just what it sounds like: a facility offering a drug and alcohol treatment program with gender-specific care. While some facilities may have men on staff, all participants are female. This approach to inpatient care is especially beneficial for women who have been traumatized by men. It also provides women with a great opportunity to uncover the factors fueling their drinking.

While no two rehab centers are created equal, most provide a similar set of services. Inpatient treatment usually involves individual therapy, group counseling, and 12-step meetings. Some programs provide life skills training, career assistance, and family counseling, too.

Are you thinking about enrolling in one of these programs? Let’s explore the pros and cons of women’s addiction treatment centers.

Benefits of Women’s Addiction Treatment Centers

Women face challenges from those facing men. A female-focused rehab center helps women connect the dots between their alcohol consumption and influences such as chronic stress, caregiving, and hormonal fluctuations.

Gender-Specific Treatment

Thanks to a whole host of biological and social factors, gender plays a major role in alcohol use and mental health. Women develop alcohol use disorder (AUD) faster than men (a phenomenon called “telescoping”). They’re more likely to experience trauma and abuse, and they’re also at higher risk for depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

To address these concerns, women require personalized care. Gender-specific centers offer programming tailored to women’s needs only, while co-ed programs address men’s issues, too. Female therapists and facilitators focus on self-esteem, codependence, motherhood, hormonal changes, and other female issues.

A Safe Environment for Recovery

A women’s addiction treatment center is a soft place to land and unpack alcohol’s impact on your life. Everyone there is in the same boat — often, staff members are women in recovery, too. This shared understanding creates community. As you get to know your peers, you’ll feel comfortable discussing past traumas and future challenges, all in a nonjudgmental setting.

Distance From Triggers

Until you’ve got a few weeks of sobriety under your belt, you’ll want some space from the people, places, and activities you associate with drinking. Rehab keeps you out of the wine aisle, away from the liquor store, and outside the bars. Instead of grabbing cocktails with coworkers, you’ll bond with other women in recovery. By the time you head home, you’ll have the perspective you need to resist alcohol cravings.

Focus on Getting Well

When you go to a women’s rehab center, you’ve got one thing to focus on: your relationship with alcohol. Moms get to enjoy a vacation from the mental load. No shuttling kids to soccer practice, wrapping presents for in-laws, or scrambling to meet work deadlines. If you’re single and interested in men, a women-only program insulates you from the turbulent (and ill-advised) world of dating in early recovery.

Cons of Inpatient Rehab for Women

Addiction treatment for women may be exactly what you need, but before you go, take a moment to consider the drawbacks of a 30- to 90-day program.

Time

There’s no getting around it — recovery takes time. Inpatient rehab for women lasts at least 30 days. (Fun fact: The 30-day stay is a holdover from the 1970s. The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends 90 days.) No matter how long you’re on site, you’ll spend weeks away from family, friends, and work. If that’s a major deterrent for you, you’re not alone. Women are far more likely to avoid addressing substance use due to family obligations.

Cost

Rehab is also notoriously expensive. The cheapest inpatient programs cost around $6,000 per month. While all insurance plans must cover some rehabilitation thanks to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, you may be left with large copays or high deductibles. Consult with your insurer before choosing a treatment center.

Confusion

Getting help for your drinking is a tough process. Google will display pages of results for “women’s drug rehab” and “drug rehab women only” — a series of sites that may or may not answer your questions about alcohol use disorder. To find an effective, accredited program, you’ll have to do some serious research.

How Can I Make a Change Without Rehab?

If you’re ready to address your alcohol use but don’t want to go to rehab, you have options. Try these top tips from the Reframe team.  

• Community is key. Build a supportive network of women in recovery as you examine your relationship with alcohol. Share your goals and ask those friends to hold you accountable.
• Learn the facts. Self-education is a powerful tool in your recovery arsenal. Hop online and become an expert in alcohol cessation. What happens when you stop drinking? How does alcohol affect your body? The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to resist cravings and move forward.
• Get professional help. Many women uncork a bottle of wine after a hard day — it’s a common response to stress. A therapist can help you break this association between alcohol and stress relief and replace drinking with healthy coping skills. They can also identify any underlying mental health concerns contributing to your alcohol use.
• Stay healthy. Taking care of your body gives you the strength to stay sober. Eat well, exercise, go to bed early, and maintain a daily routine.  
• Try cutting back at home. Before committing to a women’s addiction treatment center, experiment with smaller-scale solutions. Reframe lets you travel the road to recovery from the comfort of your couch. Whether your goals are mindful drinking or quitting alcohol altogether, we have a track for you.

Build a Life You’re Proud Of

Every year, thousands of women transform their lives by reframing their relationship with alcohol. While professional treatment fast-tracks your recovery, you can take the first step all by yourself. Downloading an app like Reframe kick starts your journey to sobriety — whether you’re hoping to cut back or quit.

We offer gender-specific programs and through our 24/7 forum and daily Zoom check-ins, where you’ll connect with other women in recovery. Start your free trial by visiting the App Store or Google Play today!