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Research suggests that gender-specific treatment for women with chemical dependency issues might be more effective than dual-gender programs. Several authors have posited that this might be due to the fact that women in treatment have differing sets of presenting problems than men. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to investigate women's experiences in a single-gender, holistically focused chemical dependency treatment program. Results based on focus group interviews with 23 women suggest that the variables of empowerment, holistic services, children in treatment, domestic violence services, cohesion, and staff characteristics have distinct effects on women's experiences in chemical dependency treatment. Questions for further study are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the literature on women's chemical dependency and its effects on their children. Many risk factors (e,g., a history of traumatic exposure) and consequences (interference with parenting) of substance abuse are unique for women, giving rise to special treatment needs of substance-abusing women with children. Substance-abusing mothers also experience unique barriers to receiving the services they need to recover, such as absence of child care and lack of gender-specific treatment in their communities. Model programs are described and recommendations are offered for best treatment practices for women with chemical dependency who present in the child welfare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]