4 Myths About Women and Addiction

Men and women are far from equal when it comes to substance use disorders – and, thankfully, more and more research is exploring the gender differences. Still, many myths abound when in comes to women and addiction. Here we take a look at a few common ones and the facts that dispel them. 

Myth: More men than women get addicted to drugs and alcohol.
This used to be true, but the gender gap is closing. Experts say that women are among the fastest-growing segments of drug users in the U.S. Some stats, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD): 

• Up to 4.5 million women over age 12 in the U.S. have a substance use disorder.
• 3.5 million misuse prescription drugs.
• 3.1 million regularly use illicit drugs.
• More than 200,000 American women die as a result of alcoholism and drug dependence.
• More than 4 million women are in need of addiction treatment.

Myth: Women and men begin using for the same reason.
Women are twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression as men – and this often leads to self-medication as a way to manage these mental health conditions. Trauma also plays a role: Seventy four percent of women struggling with addiction reported sexual abuse in their history, according to one of the first studies to examine female addiction. And a large percentage of women seeking treatment for addiction report lifetime histories of emotional abuse and physical assault.

Myth: Pain is an equal driver of addiction for men and women.
In fact, women have been study-proven to suffer more frequently and more intensely from pain – and, in general, they visit more doctors and are more likely to be introduced to opioids through a painkiller prescription. The proportion of women seeking treatment for opioid addiction has grown so much that today the number of men and women in rehab for this addiction is about equal.

Myth: Women and men should be treated for addiction in the same way. 

Women tend to develop addictions faster and more seriously than men. In addition, women have a greater chance of relapse. What’s more, many women are dealing with such treatment barriers as social stigma, co-occurring disorders, trauma and financial constraints – which all make gender-specific treatment even more important. Addiction treatment progresses differently for women, too, and women have a greater chance of relapse.

Women and Addiction Recovery

At Rising Roads Recovery, we know that every woman who comes to us is incredibly unique and needs to be treated that way. One size does not fit all – and one future does not work for everyone. To learn more, call 866-746-1558. 

5 Benefits of Reading

When’s the last time you lost yourself in a good book? If you don’t remember, you might want to add reading to your recovery to-dos. In fact, becoming a bookworm can boost your mind and wellbeing in a big way. So go ahead, let yourself get caught up in a particularly compelling story this summer — it’s good for your long-term sobriety!

Here are a few study-proven ways reading can help you: 

• Reading can help you stress less. Even more so than listening to music, sipping a cup of tea or taking a walk, according to one study. In fact, researchers say that reading can tame tensions by as much as 68 percent. 
• Reading can help you sleep better. But this only holds true if you pick up a paperback.  The bright screens of e-readers and tablets can actually mess with your sleep cycles. 
• Reading can help ease depression symptoms. Specifically, reading self-help books has been study-proven to lower levels of depression when combined with support sessions. 
• Reading can boost your concentration. Focusing for prolonged periods on reading a book is a great exercise to enhance your powers of concentration – and this skill can do wonders during recovery and beyond as your return to school or work. 
• Reading can make you more empathetic. Studies show that reading stories in which characters are rich and developed allows the reader to take on these personalities and understand what it’s like to be someone else. 

Staying Stronger Together 
By learning and practicing healthy coping skills, you can empower yourself and feel more confident about dealing with stress for a healthier, happier you. The programs at Rising Roads Recovery Services for Women are designed to help women get and stay sober. To learn more, call today: 866-746-1558.

Surprising Signs of Being a Perfectionist

You’ve likely heard by now that there’s a pretty strong link between perfectionism and addiction. In fact, experts say that perfectionism can cause someone to turn to addictive substances or behaviors in order to quell persistent feelings of frustration, despair, shame and guilt. Plus, perfectionism distorts a person’s view of reality – and this can promote addiction and/or interfere with your recovery. 

Since perfectionism and addiction are so closely linked, it only makes sense that curbing your perfectionism will help ease your recovery. Your first step, however, is to realize (and admit) that you are indeed a perfectionist. Here, we talk about a few surprising signs that you might otherwise overlook in yourself or someone you love: 

• You tend to binge eat often. Binge eating is a common coping mechanism for perfectionists, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Eating compulsively allows the person to numb any feelings of failure. Binge eating can have some serious mental and physical health consequences, so be sure to seek professional help if this is a common occurrence. 
• Stress-reduction techniques don’t seem to work: In general, perfectionists are more likely to be stressed and they’re also less likely to take advantage of relaxation practices like yoga or meditation, according to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. To blame: A fear of not doing the techniques “just right,” noted researchers. Luckily, when it comes to relaxation there’s no right or wrong way to do it, so just try to go with the flow and focus on the end results.
• You get sick easily: Stressing about being perfect – and not taking advantage of stress-release techniques –  can do damage to your immune system. Uncontrolled stress is certainly risky for your sobriety and it has also been found to lead to heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, a higher risk of cancer and a shorter overall lifespan. So if you find yourself coming down with every cold, flu and virus that’s out there, book an appointment with your doctor. 
• You feel depressed. Studies have linked perfectionism with chronic feelings of sadness and anxiety – as well as a higher risk of suicide. Minding your mental health is of utmost importance, then, if you’re a perfectionist in recovery from addiction.

Heal Your Mind and Body
Our team can help you learn healthy coping mechanisms to deal with perfectionism, stress and other addiction triggers. To learn more about our offerings, contact us today at 866-746-1558.