Without proper treatment, the chains of addiction can weigh down every part of a person’s life. But those chains pull at women differently than they pull at men, both inwardly and outwardly. That’s why many substance abuse centers have gender-specific rehab for women and men.
One major difference between the genders is the speed at which they accelerate into addiction. When you progress very quickly from first use to abuse, it is known as telescoping.
A Closer Look at Telescoping
Substance use disorder is a disease of progression. It starts with one use and progresses into addiction. Sometimes, the progression is slow and gradual. Other times, it hits like a train in the blink of an eye. Whether the progression is fast or slow, people usually pass through five different stages when sucked into the tornado of addiction. These stages are:
- Initial exposure to a drug or alcohol
- Progression into becoming dependent on the drug
- Recovery attempt
- Intense Withdrawal
- Relapse
Telescoping is a term used to describe a rapid progression from initial exposure to full-blown addiction. While not the case 100% of the time, research shows that this progression seems to differ dramatically between males and females. Extensive research shows that females who abuse alcohol, opioids, or cannabis progress from stage one to stage two faster than their male counterparts.
Women Entering Rehab
You’ve heard that men are from Mars, women are from Venus. This isn’t just a catchy saying; it’s true. There’s a consistent difference in the psychological, physical, and social difficulties women and men face when starting rehab. Women’s problems in these three areas far outweigh these difficulties in men, whether or not they’ve used more or less of a substance compared to men.
What Factors Affect Telescoping?
Scientists caught on to the telescoping effect decades ago. They were studying the rapid progression that women experience from their initial drink of alcohol to full-on dependence on it. As researchers continued to study the telescoping effect, they discovered that women also telescoped with other substances, including hard drugs such as heroin.
Many factors could be responsible for the difference in progression between women and men, including:
- Biological Differences: Hormones can affect the way drugs influence behavior. Women may respond differently to stimulants during their menstruation cycle.
- Sociological Differences: The reasons why women and men try a substance in the first place vary greatly. Men tend to use it for social reasons. They want to fit in. They give in to peer pressure. They want to be part of a group. On the flip side, women have a higher chance of turning to substances to self-medicate and cope with stress.
- Addiction Tendency: Addiction tendencies naturally differ between women and men. Men tend to be more likely to use all different illicit drugs, and women tend to be more vulnerable to the reinforcing reward effects of hard drugs such as meth and cocaine. Women also tend to experience more cravings and withdrawals during their recovery
- Other Disorders: In general, women have a higher chance of struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders compared to men. Women are around 75% more prone to depressive episodes than men and 60% more prone to anxiety. This often makes women more vulnerable to the telescope effect.
- Resources: Women’s access to resources such as treatment significantly impacts their telescoping experience. Just to get started with treatment, women tend to have significant barriers to overcome, such as getting childcare and being able to take time off of work. These factors can often hold them back from accessing treatment. In addition, women may struggle to find a treatment that feels right for them.
- Greater Likelihood of Trauma: In general, women experience more trauma in their lifetime than men. Trauma is a trigger for addiction. The National Center for PTSD, shows that women experience PTSD at two to three times the rate that men do.
Treatment for Women
Even admitting to needing help can be difficult for women, and seeking treatment can be especially scary and overwhelming. However, the proper treatment can exponentially turn a woman’s life.
If you are looking for an addiction treatment center for women (either for yourself or a loved one), seek out one that offers treatment plans designed with the unique needs of women in mind.
These programs should offer trauma-informed women’s recovery options for those dealing with moderate to severe trauma. They should cater to how the female brain processes and help counter the detrimental effects that substance abuse has on women. They should take a gentle approach and allow women to benefit from the sisterhood of other women. They should focus heavily on mental health treatment, addressing feelings of perfectionism and shame. If you are religious, a faith-based women’s recovery center can be especially helpful, helping you to connect with a higher power and understand your worth as a daughter of God.
Taking the first step can be the hardest, but imagine a life free from the chains of your addiction. Imagine a treatment that works and lifts the weight off your shoulders. You don’t have to imagine anymore; you owe it to yourself, your family, and your loved ones to make a change that will better your present and future. Contact us today for information on our women’s rehab center in Idaho.