THE NEEDS OF WOMEN WITH SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEMS - AN EXPANDED VISION FOR TREATMENT

Although the number of females served in United States treatment progr ams for substance use has increased over the last decade, women contin ue to be underrepresented. This suggests that the prevalent treatment models, which tend to be male-oriented, may not provide appropriate st rategies to meet women's needs. Substance use problems in women appear to be multidetermined phenomena in which genetics, familial history, psychosocial issues, and other environmental factors play contributing roles. Working from a relational theoretical model of female psychoso cial development, a continuum of expanded services addressing the enti re context of women's lives is discussed.