Women and Our World of CopingDenver Women’s RecoveryLaTisha Bader, PhD, LP, LAC, CMPC

Introduce a Biopsychosical Model that connects addiction, mental

health and trauma

Discuss the relationship between women’s issues and coping

Describe healthy and unhealthy coping

Review barriers to treatment

Learning Objectives:

Addiction

Trauma

Mental Health

Biop

sych

osoc

ialM

odel

Bio

Mental Health

Trauma

Addiction

Psycho Social

Biological • Allergy of the body• The general population has a 8-15% risk of becoming

addicted– 1 parent = 4 times more likely (32-60%)– 2 parents = 6 times more likely (48-90%)

• 31 million people in the US have a substance abuse problem– 18% women, 35% men– 1/3 of the population will struggle with addiction

• 95% of people with alcohol dependence drank before the age of 21 years old

• Telescoping effect

Telescoping effect

• Women are typically start with lower levels of substances but end up escalating use to a higher degree

• Due to body composition, women incur more consequences of use (usually 1:2 ratio)

• Psychological differences in why women use (mood regulation, stress reduction versus risk taking)

Psychological

• Obsession of the Mind• Odiferous Cognitions• Feelings

– Impaired/stunted– Trouble tolerating affect

• Behaviors– “we are what we do” – FYI: guilt changes our

behaviors 3% of the time

Stinkin’ Thinkin’

Social

• Presented as a coping skill by family, friends, peers

• Cultural “norms” • Increased cultural stress• Decreased community support• Less $$ spent on treatment• Women take on patterns of their

partners

Addiction

Trauma

Mental Health

Bio

Psycho Social

Biological

• Mood Disorders– Depression– Bipolar Disorder– Perinatal Depression– Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder– Perimenopause-related Depression– Post Partum Depression

• Anxiety Disorders– Panic Disorder– Phobias– PTSD

• ADHD

6% or 1 in 17 Americans suffer from a serious mental illness, which effects 1 in 5 families

Approximately 12 Million women in US experience clinical depression each year

Wonder Women

Women deal with so much in their personal and professional lives. It’s often a juggling act in which we give more to our families, friends and colleagues than we give ourselves.

Psychological

Social

• Stigma of mental health • Refusal to get help• Access to treatment • Cost of medication• Child care

Addiction

Trauma

Mental Health

Bio

Psycho Social

Adverse Childhood Experiences Study

Kaiser Permanente• N = 17,000• Confidential survey

• Increased trauma leads to increase negative behaviors and risk

Trauma Response

• Freeze • Flight • Fight

MALADAPTIVE COPINGStrategies that increase stress

Examples

• Drinking• Drugs• Excessive

– Shopping– Sleeping– Eating– TV, internet– Exercise

• Dissociation• Self-injury • High risk behaviors

– Unsafe sex

• Gambling

Screen for At-Risk Drinking• How many times in the past year

have you had 5 or more drinks (men)? 4 or more drinks (women)?

• On average, how many drinks do you have each week (# of days x # of drinks per day), with cut-off for heavy drinking at 14 per week for men and 7 per week for women

The promises of weed for women

1. It relieves symptoms of anxiety and stress2. It can improve your sex life3. It helps with weight maintenance4. Women get high faster than men5. It puts you to sleep6. It alleviates PMS symptoms7. It can prevent or treat cancer8. It may alleviate pregnancy symptoms 9. It helps you enjoy life more

21

WithdrawalA. Cessation of cannabis use that has been heavy and prolonged (ie, usually daily

or almost daily use over a period of at least a few months). B. Three or more of the following signs and symptoms develop within

approximately 1 week after cessation of heavy, prolonged use: • Irritability, anger or aggression• Nervousness or anxiety• Sleep difficulty (ie, insomnia, disturbing dreams)• Decreased appetite or weight loss• Restlessness• Depressed mood• At least one of the following physical symptoms causing significant discomfort:

abdominal pain, shakiness/tremors, sweating, fever, chills, or headache

C. The signs or symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D. The signs or symptoms are not attributable to another medical condition and are not better explained by another mental disorder, including intoxication or withdrawal from another substance.

ADAPTIVE COPINGStrategies which reduce stress

Examples

• Exercise• Meditation• Prayer• Music• Journaling• Social connection• Play

• Rest• Positive self-talk• Sense of purpose• Healthy distractions• Nurture plants and pets• Counseling

Women’s Issues

• Women are less likely to seek treatment • Barriers to treatment:

– Finances– Transportation– Child care– Shame, Embarrassment, Denial – Social support

• 90% rule

DENVER WOMEN'S RECOVERY

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME