Treating Women with SUD

Question 1

True or False, women and men have the same responses to substances.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

ASAM Dim 1 - How are Women different

Answer 2

Substances metabolize differently. Females seem to be more sensitive to the rewarding effects of drugs than males and estrogen is a major factor in that underlies these sex differences.

Question 3

Women have higher rates of use with what type of substances?

Answer 3

painkillers, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, anti-depressants and diet pills.

Question 4

ASAM DIM 2 - How are Women Different?

Answer 4

Physical differences in size, shape and hormones. Women experience hormonal changes due to alcohol consumption.

Question 5

What are the biomedical considerations that should be taken into account when working with women?

Answer 5

Puberty (8-13)
Menstrual Cycle (premenstrual cycle)
Peri Menopause

Question 6

Women differ from one another more than men differ from women. True or false

Answer 6

True

Question 7

What questions would you ask for Dimensions 1 & 2

Answer 7

When was your last period?
Is there any correlation between when you drink and your cycle?
Are you breastfeeding or pregnant?

Question 8

Should we talk to our clients about sex?

Answer 8

If you are not talking to your patients about the first time, they have sober sex you are not doing your job. Understanding what healthy sexuality is for your client is important.

Question 9

ASAM Dim 3 - Women

Answer 9

Women are more likely to experience bullying around issues of body image. More prevalent with eating disorders. Gastric bypass

Question 10

Drug use effects all phases of the sexual response cycle including: Desire, arousal, orgasms and resolution. True or False

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Why might someone use substances?

Answer 11

increase ability to sexually function
change level of desire/interest/arousal
use in order to participate in specific sex acts
to experience sexual pleasure
express feelings of love, affection and commitment.

Question 12

What questions might you ask in relation to Dim 3?

Answer 12

When is the last time you had sober sex?
What is your perception of your self?
What are your eating habits?
How do you feel about weight gain? 
If you could wake up tomorrow with a perfect sex life what would that look like?

Question 13

Trauma and Women

Answer 13

higher levels of sexual assault, domestic violence and molestation of women.

Question 14

What differences exist in genders related to Trauma?

Answer 14

response to trauma
how symptoms are exhibited
how one heals

Question 15

What are the 3 different types of abuse?

Answer 15

Sexual, emotional and physical.

Question 16

What is ACE?

Answer 16

Adverse Childhood Experience

Question 17

What questions might you ask related to trauma?

Answer 17

I am a male you are a female; does that create any problems with you?

Have you ever experienced an interpersonal trauma/sexual trauma?

We also need to ask what their reality is of their current relationships?

Question 18

What should we consider when creating a trauma informed environment?

Answer 18

safety, respect and dignity.

Question 19

What types of behavior should we be mindful of when creating a trauma informed environtment?

Answer 19

eye contact, body language, tone of voice and where you stand. You should be mindful of physical touch and having appropriate boundaries.

Question 20

How can pregnancy impact SUD’s in women?

Answer 20

Grief and loss. Shame around use while pregnant. Loss of pregnancy or termination of pregnancy. Traumatic birthing experience (also important for men)

Question 21

Women cannot be effective mothers or caring family members or contribute to the community if they are using. T or F

Answer 21

False

Question 22

Dim 4 - What may motivate women to change?

Answer 22

Family/Children
Health
Body Image

Question 23

How can we help women navigate step one especially if they have been victimized?

Answer 23

Help to find empowerment in admitting powerlessness. Now you have the power to make change.

Question 24

What makes women at risk for relapse?

Answer 24

primary caretaker of children
lack of self care
hormonal changes
societal roles on placing others first. 
Grief and loss related to pregnancies

Question 25

Dim 5 and women

Answer 25

Women tend to get lower LOC than clinically needed due to home life duties.

Question 26

How do you address the needs of a women entering treatment?

Answer 26

Consider the needs of both the women and her children (if she has them).