Women with Substance Use Disorders: My Insights from ISSUP 2024

Did you know that women with substance use disorders are more likely to encounter obstacles across the continuum of care? Despite the unique challenges, women are more likely to engage in help-seeking behavior. This was one of the key take-home while attending the Women’s Intervention for Substance Use Exposure: Comprehensive Care for Substance Use Disorders (WISE) training in the recently concluded ISSUP Conference 2024 in Thessaloniki Greece.

The conference aptly titled "Art of Healing: A New Era in Substance Use Prevention, Harm Reduction, Treatment, and Recovery Support," provided knowledge, innovation, and inspiration. For me, I had the privilege to attend three courses of the WISE that seeks to address treating women for substance use disorders challenges from 24th to 28th June 2024 sponsored by the Drug Advisory Programme (DAP), Colombo Plan. The training was facilitated by Ms. Aditi Ghanekar and Dr. Anna Puklo- Dzaley.

The courses we covered were:

• Course 2: Trauma Responsive and Family-Centered Care for Women and their Children
• Course 3: Caring for Women with Substance Use Disorders across the Lifespan and in Specialized Circumstances
• Course 4: Creating and Implementing a Women-Responsive Substance Use Disorder Treatment Model of Care

Research has proven that women around the world who use drugs face challenges that increase their vulnerability to gender-based violence, economic discrimination, human rights violations, physical and mental comorbidities, high rates of incarceration, and intense stigma. The World Drug Report, 2024 brings this point closer home- only 1 in 11 women are in treatment and only one in 18 women with drug use disorders are in treatment. Unfortunately, women often start using drugs later in life than men but develop substance use disorders more quickly. Psychological and psychiatric comorbidities, especially stemming from childhood and recent abuse must be addressed in an interactively during treatment. Societal expectations, such as being a wife, mother, caregiver, and nurturer, influence women's drug use and their response to treatment.

The WISE Curriculum caters to the unique needs of women with substance use disorders by promoting a women-centered approach. It includes advocates for an onsite childcare, treatment for co-occurring disorders, and trauma or sexual abuse counseling. WISE aims to empower women to regain control of their lives, enhance their physical and mental health, build healthy relationships with their children, families, and communities, and engage in meaningful activities that foster a sense of connection.

From the intensive five-day training, it was crystal clear for programs that target women who have substance use disorders, they should:

1. Be tailor-made to women needs to enhance uptake and outcomes
2. Integrate mental health, reproductive health, vocational and social support systems
3. Empower women to build resilience and promote sustained recovery
4. Be trauma-informed and trauma-responsive as well as create a safe environment
5. Create support networks and reduce isolation through shared experiences and guidance
6. Be tailored to use culturally acceptable and beneficial practices to ensure inclusivity and uptake

Finally, how does one access such trainings? Be on the look-out on www.issup.net for call for applications.