Many Americans wrongly believe that addiction only, or at least primarily strikes the male population in great numbers. But according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 7 million women are substance dependent. This is of course a huge number of Women. Even more alarming is the percentage of those women who won't receive the help they need to overcome their addiction. 10% or less of those addicted will receive treatment for their dilemma.



Women who have fallen prey to drug and/or alcohol addiction will also be found to be more likely to suffer greater consequences associated with their drug and alcohol use including death. From disease related to alcohol consumption to suicide, women will on average sustain more negative effects from their addictive behaviors than men. This doesn't mean men are not at risk. It only points out that there is a real substantial reason for women to be cautious of drug and alcohol use and abuse regardless of the commonly promoted male dominance in the area.

When addiction strikes there is no time to spend considering whether you might be the lucky person that will somehow end up unscathed by the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Male or female, young or old, black or white, gay or straight, addiction takes it's toll in one way or another on everyone who ventures down it's dwindling road. Rehab in the form of long term in-patient residential treatment is often then the only solution to a life that is spinning down toward an ultimately dreadful end.

There are two very important points you want to establish with a person who has hit bottom and is ready to go into a drug rehabilitation program.

1. The addicted person must realize they are in trouble and are willing to receive help.

2. Equally as important is the addicted person agreeing with the treatment philosophy and approach of the program they will enroll in.

When looking for a rehabilitation program ensure the addicted person has an opportunity to learn about the treatment philosophy and the treatment approach of the program that is being considered before they commit or someone else on their behalf commits them to the program. If the addicted person can be gotten to understand and agree with the treatment philosophy and approach of the program they will enter the chances of successful rehabilitation are far greater.

To not establish these two points decreases greatly the odds of successes.

If the addicted individual does not agree with the treatment philosophy and approach of the program being proposed, keep on contacting programs until you find one that makes sense to them. There are many different philosophies and approaches to drug rehabilitation. Addicts are individuals with individual viewpoints and needs so take the time to find the program that makes sense.

If there is someone in your life who is suffering from addiction, knowingly or not, get them the help they need. There is never a really good time and there are always plenty of reasons to delay but considering someone's life is at stake the priority must be drop whatever would present itself as a ?reason why not? and get the job done.