The fastest-growing correctional population in the United States is women. According to one unit of the US Department of Justice, in 1980, the number of women incarcerated was just over 13,000. In 2016, that number was well over 100,000. The arrest rate for possession and use of drugs has tripled for women. Opiate abuse is causing the situation to become even worse.

When most women think back to the time when they were children, they did not see themselves in the future as a person who would be dealing with addiction and multiple arrests. Unfortunately, many factors have contributed to them being in this situation. Thankfully, there are a variety of treatment centers, like Pinnacle Recovery center for example, that have been able to work with both men and women in helping them get control of their life. Once they are able to take control, they have the ability to lead happier and more productive lives. This first step is necessary if a woman wants to have a happy family life, be an entrepreneur, enjoy retirement, and more.

Detox Is the First Step

A lot of women out there have lived with an addiction for years. In some cases, they have managed to hide it from others and go on to lead a relatively successful life. Unfortunately, there is no real way to be happy when addicted to a substance. It controls every aspect of a person’s life.

Detox is the first step that is necessary in overcoming any addiction. This is the process that is used to remove the harmful substance from a person’s body. In order to have long-term success many have turned to the help provided by professionals through supervised detox programs at a Drug Addiction Treatment center for example. They provide the support needed to get through some of the initial symptoms that often cause people to relapse. After a person can get through the detoxification process, they can then start treatment. Treatment often involves learning to live without the substance and finding new ways to cope with problems in life. It may involve family therapy or group therapy sessions.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

In order for women to be happy at any stage in their life, they need to enjoy good emotional and mental health. Unfortunately, when a woman is dealing with substance abuse and addiction, she may be dealing with emotional or mental health issues that have either caused or are contributing to a substance abuse problem. Getting dual diagnosis treatment is essential for a woman to go on to lead a truly happy and productive life.

Dual diagnosis treatment is something that is relatively new. Back in the 1980’s and even into the 1990’s, if a person needed help overcoming an addiction and they were dealing with a mental or emotional health issue, each thing would be treated separately. This is something that often led a person to relapse and never really have success on their journey to sobriety. Dual diagnosis treatment is essential because addiction can lead to mental health issues, or vice a versa. For example, a person may be dealing with extreme anxiety and use prescription drugs, alcohol, or illegal drugs to self medicate. In order to get the best results, the addiction and the anxiety need to be treated at the same time.

Living Your Best Life

The last thing that most women want to do is look back on the years of their life and feel regret. Dealing with addiction is something that can cause a person to have these regretful feelings. Honesty is necessary in order to overcome any addiction. Overcoming the addiction is the very first step needed in order to go on to enjoy life to the full. Once the addiction has been dealt with, then a person can go on to enjoy a genuinely happy family life. They will have much better physical health, which will lead to enjoying a more attractive appearance. It is necessary in order to truly enjoy a satisfying career and to enjoy retirement.

While the number of women being incarcerated because of possession of illegal drugs is rising, women can make a choice about their addiction. There are great options out there that can help them get their addiction under control and go on to lead a life that is full of happiness. They can go on to lead a life where they are the ones in control, not an addictive drug or substance.