Substance Use Disorders in Women
At White Lotus Landing, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders in Massachusetts. Our integrated approach addresses a wide range of substances and mental health conditions, ensuring that women receive the personalized care they need to achieve lasting recovery.
What is Substance Abuse Treatment for Women?
How We Treat Substance Abuse in Women
We also provide dual diagnosis treatment for women. Dual diagnosis programs treat addiction and mental health disorders simultaneously. This is the most effective form of treatment for co-occurring disorders because it helps to address the root issues. Co-occurring disorders often exacerbate each other, or may be occurring as a side effect of either condition. It’s best to treat each concurrently to enjoy optimal results. At White Lotus Landing we treat many co-occurring mental health disorders with the exception of psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia).
What Substance Use Disorders Do We Treat?
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that is commonly consumed for its intoxicating effects. Alcohol addiction, known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is characterized by a compulsive pattern of alcohol consumption despite adverse consequences. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to liver damage, cardiovascular problems, cognitive impairment, mood disturbances, and strained relationships with loved ones.
Treatment for alcohol addiction may involve detoxification, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), therapy (such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), support groups (like Alcoholics Anonymous), and lifestyle changes.
Prescription drugs encompass a wide range of medications prescribed by healthcare providers to treat various medical conditions. However, misuse or abuse of prescription drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants can lead to addiction. Addiction to prescription drugs can result in physical dependence, overdose, respiratory depression, cognitive impairment, and strained relationships with healthcare providers and family members.
Treatment for prescription drug addiction may involve medically supervised detoxification, tapering off medications, therapy (such as Motivational Interviewing), medication management, and developing healthy coping strategies.
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug synthesized from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. Addiction to heroin can cause physical dependence, infectious diseases (such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis), respiratory depression, overdose, financial instability, legal problems, and social isolation. The lifestyle associated with heroin addiction often involves engaging in risky behaviors to obtain and use the drug.
Heroin addiction treatment may involve medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with medications like methadone or buprenorphine, therapy (such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), support groups (like Narcotics Anonymous), and holistic approaches to address underlying trauma or co-occurring mental health disorders
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca plant. Addiction to cocaine can lead to cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, neurological damage, psychosis, mood disturbances, financial instability, legal troubles, and strained relationships with loved ones. Chronic cocaine use is associated with compulsive drug-seeking behaviors and a high risk of relapse.
Treatment for cocaine addiction may involve therapy (such as Contingency Management), cognitive-behavioral interventions, support groups (like Cocaine Anonymous), lifestyle changes, and relapse prevention strategies
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a potent stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Addiction to methamphetamine can cause severe dental problems (commonly known as “meth mouth”), psychosis, cardiovascular complications, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric disorders. Chronic methamphetamine use is associated with increased aggression, paranoia, and social isolation.
Methamphetamine addiction treatment may involve behavioral therapies (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), support groups (like Crystal Meth Anonymous), medication-assisted treatment (for co-occurring mental health disorders), and holistic approaches to address physical and psychological health.
Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as illicit drugs like heroin. Addiction to opioids can lead to physical dependence, overdose, respiratory depression, infectious diseases, financial instability, legal problems, and strained relationships with family and friends. The opioid crisis has resulted in widespread public health concerns and increased demand for effective addiction treatment.
Treatment for opioid addiction may involve medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, therapy (such as Trauma-Informed Care), support groups (like SMART Recovery), and lifestyle modifications to support recovery.
Benzodiazepines are a class of prescription medications commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions. However, addiction to benzodiazepines can develop with prolonged use, leading to physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, cognitive impairment, respiratory depression, overdose, and impaired functioning in daily life. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be particularly challenging and may require medical supervision to ensure safety and comfort.
Prescription drug addiction treatment involves medically supervised detoxification, gradual tapering of medication and therapy. After treatment, individuals may attend local support groups to help stay on the path for sobriety.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive worry, fear, or apprehension about future events or situations. Individuals with anxiety disorders may experience physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and difficulty concentrating. Anxiety disorders can significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life if left untreated. But effective treatment options such as therapy like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, medication, and stress-reduction techniques can help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, leaving lasting psychological and emotional scars. Trauma can result from various events such as abuse, violence, accidents, natural disasters, or witnessing traumatic events. PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is one way that trauma can manifest in a harmful way.
Symptoms of trauma may include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance of reminders, emotional numbness, and difficulty forming trusting relationships. Trauma-informed therapy approaches, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), can help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences.
Depression, which sometimes takes the form of major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed. Individuals with depression may experience changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and thoughts of suicide. Depression can significantly impact daily functioning and overall quality of life, but effective treatments such as therapy such as Interpersonal Therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania (or hypomania). During manic episodes, individuals may experience elevated mood, increased energy, impulsivity, and grandiosity, while depressive episodes involve feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low energy. Bipolar disorder disrupts daily life and relationships if untreated. Treatment for bipolar disorder may include mood-stabilizing medications, therapy (such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), and lifestyle adjustments that can help individuals manage symptoms and achieve stability.
Why Gender-Specific Treatment May Be Most Beneficial
By fostering connections with women who share similar experiences, gender-specific treatment promotes empathy, validation, and mutual support. Additionally, women may feel more comfortable discussing topics such as reproductive health, sexuality, and domestic violence in a gender-specific setting. Ultimately, gender-specific treatment enhances engagement, retention, and outcomes for women seeking recovery from substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Call White Lotus Landing for Treatment
Dr. Liebermann has been practicing Addiction Medicine since 2006, initially as a rural Family and Emergency Room Physician in Maine. He has served as Medical Director at several treatment facilities, working in various levels of addiction care, including inpatient withdrawal management and residential care. A Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a member of the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine, he advocates for Medication Assisted Treatment. Dr. Liebermann graduated from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a residency and fellowship at Eastern Maine Medical Center.
