Best Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment for Women in Canada

If the great outdoors bring you serenity, Canada—especially British Columbia—might be the best rehab option for you. We've compiled a list below of the best luxury, private rehabs throughout Canada offering drug rehab and addiction treatment of all kinds with both 12 Step and holistic programs.

While private treatment in Canada is still more affordable than many rehabs in the U.S., the Canadian government has put together a province by province hotline that can provide direction as well as government-funded options if the cost is restrictive.

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Insurance Coverage

History & Background

In the mid-1960s, the U.S. and Canada each introduced their versions of Medicare, with the U.S. system covering seniors and those with certain health conditions, facing industry backlash. Canada's system, praised for its inclusivity, allows all Canadians access, though provinces decide on necessary services. What is the difference between the US and Canada? The U.S. funds Medicare through payroll taxes, whereas Canada's publicly funded, single-payer system covers healthcare costs, highlighting significant differences in funding and coverage between the two nations.

The Canadian Health Act (CHA) aims to ensure the health and well-being of Canada's residents by providing equitable access to health services without financial obstacles. It sets conditions for provinces and territories to receive federal funds, emphasizing prepaid access to necessary health services to all eligible Canadians, thereby removing direct service charges. This framework is foundational to Canada's health policy, focusing on protecting and promoting physical and mental health.

How does Canadian Medicare Work?

Canada's Medicare system, a publicly funded healthcare structure, comprises 13 provincial and territorial plans, offering residents access to essential medical services without direct charges. Healthcare responsibilities are divided, with provinces and territories managing service delivery, while the federal government sets national standards, provides funding, and caters to specific groups under the Canada Health Act. This collaborative framework ensures universal healthcare coverage across the country.

It is important to note that Canadian Medicare, funded by federal and provincial taxes, may not cover all medical expenses, leading to additional out-of-pocket costs for dental and vision care services. While public health insurance eliminates deductibles, Canadians still contribute through taxes, averaging $5,789 annually per the Fraser Institute. This system ensures higher earners contribute more, supporting more affordable healthcare access for lower-income families and offering a cost-effective approach compared to the average American's health expenditure.

Generally speaking, according to the Government of Canada, the federal government is responsible for:

•Setting and administering national standards for the health care system through the Canada Health Act

•Providing funding support for provincial and territorial health care services

•Supporting the delivery of health care services to specific groups

•Providing other health-related functions

Public & Private Payment Options

In Canada, accessing timely, affordable, and effective drug and alcohol addiction treatment is feasible, with options for both publicly and privately funded treatments available. While the country's Medicare system covers addiction and psychiatric disorders, allowing for free treatment at public centres, these can have long wait times due to limited availability. Conversely, private centres offer quicker access but at a higher cost, either out-of-pocket or through insurance. It's crucial for individuals seeking rehab in Canada to carefully consider their treatment preferences and make an informed choice between public and private care options.

The 4 Pillars of Care

The Canadian approach to substance use and addiction encompasses what is referred to as the 4 pillars, which include prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement. Treatment options vary, including outpatient services in community settings, inpatient care for those with additional health issues, residential rehab for complex addictions, withdrawal management centres for safe detox, and continuing care to support long-term recovery. Each setting caters to different needs, ensuring individuals receive tailored support.

Care for Diverse Communities

In Canada, addiction treatment is tailored to diverse communities, including culturally informed programs for Indigenous populations, specialized services for veterans facing trauma and addiction, and initiatives by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) for broader substance misuse challenges. These efforts are supported by government and non-governmental organizations to ensure accessible, culturally sensitive, and effective treatment and support across the nation.

The Canadian Health Act (CHA) and Canada's Medicare system work together to provide residents with equitable, universal healthcare, emphasizing accessibility without financial barriers. Managed by provincial and territorial governments with federal oversight, this system covers essential services, though some, like dental and vision care, may incur out-of-pocket costs. It's designed to be affordable, with a tax structure with higher earners contributing more to ensure lower-income families can access care, aiming to be a cost-effective healthcare solution.

In Canada, addiction treatment is tailored to diverse communities, including culturally informed programs for Indigenous populations, specialized services for veterans facing trauma and addiction, and initiatives by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) for broader substance misuse challenges. These efforts are supported by government and non-governmental organizations to ensure accessible, culturally sensitive, and effective treatment and support across the nation.

There are a lot of benefits for gender-specific care. Attending rehab for women offers different process groups and individualized treatment that are tailored to the issues that women face. Georgia Strait Women's Clinic, located in British Columbia, provides a trauma-focused approach for treatment. They cultivate a supportive, female-centreed community through extra activities like horseback riding in addition to therapies.

If you are struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, determining which type of treatment can help you overcome your addiction once and for all can feel overwhelming. But, finding addiction treatment that treats the whole person and meets your unique needs may play a role in treatment effectiveness, as can participating in a program that honors your personal preferences, such as a gender-specific program.(1)

It is not uncommon for some people in recovery to feel more comfortable in a gender-specific setting, which is why men’s or women’s only rehab facilities offer the same levels of care with services and programs tailored to the distinctive needs of each gender.

If you identify as female and are seeking help for an addiction to drugs or alcohol, this article can help you understand what to expect from a women’s only rehab program and how to find the help you need.

How Do Substances Affect Women Differently?

There are numerous risk factors for addiction for both genders; however, there are certain factors that can affect women differently than men due to biological differences and/or the specific cultural expectations placed on women.(2,3)

For example:(2)

• Sex hormones may make women more sensitive to certain substances.
• Issues related to intimate partner violence can put women at increased risk for substance use.
• Women are more likely to experience cravings or suffer relapse after treatment.
• Drugs and alcohol can have increased effects on the brain, heart, and blood vessels in women than in men.

Additional biological differences in female body structure and chemistry can cause women to absorb and metabolize substances differently than men, particularly alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines.(3)

Consider the following:

• After drinking the same amount of alcohol, a woman’s blood alcohol level is likely to be higher, and the effects of alcohol usually impact women more quickly and for longer durations than men.(3)
• With opioids, women are more likely than men to experience greater sedative properties and respiratory depression.
• Benzodiazepines typically have a longer duration of action with women than they do with men due to larger fat stores in females versus males.(4)

It is important to note that while women are less likely than men to use alcohol and almost all illicit types of drugs, they are just as likely as men to develop a substance use disorder.(5)

Additionally, women often report using smaller amounts of a substance for shorter periods of time before their substance use progresses into dependence and addiction.(2)

Risks of Alcohol Misuse for Women

Alcohol misuse and addiction pose specific risks for women and additional risks for those who are pregnant.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention report that 4% of women overall in the U.S. have an alcohol use disorder (AUD).(3) Using alcohol during pregnancy can increase the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects.(3)

Health risks associated with unhealthy alcohol consumption in women include the following:(3)

• Liver disease (including cirrhosis), which women are at higher risk of developing than men are.
• Cognitive changes and decline, which develops more quickly in women than in men.
• Breast and other cancers like mouth, liver, and colon.
• Damage to the heart muscle, which can occur at lower levels of alcohol use in women than men.

In addition to the health risks related to alcohol misuse, women who drink heavily or binge drink are also at greater risk for sexual assault and other forms of violence.(3)

Obtaining professional treatment as quickly as possible may help reduce these and other risks.

Addiction Treatment Needs for Women

Regardless of what type of treatment program you choose, whether inpatient or outpatient, it’s important that your treatment plan is customized to your individual needs and continually evaluated and adjusted as needed.(1) This is especially important because the recovery process for women may progress differently than for men.(2)

Services and other characteristics to consider if you are looking for a women’s only rehab program include:(2,5,6)

• Medical care like gynecology and treatment for infectious diseases.
• Programs to support pregnant women through withdrawal, which include medications like methadone and buprenorphine.
• Supervised withdrawal that accounts for the potential of more intense symptoms.
• Prenatal care, family planning, and childcare support.
• Understanding of a woman’s metabolism and how that may affect the use of certain treatments.
• Treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression, which women are more likely to suffer from than men.
• Screening and support for intimate partner violence.
• Support for unique issues that face women of color.
• Whole-person treatment that addresses physical, psychological, vocational, social, and legal needs.
• Treatment and therapies that help boost self-esteem.

Why Women May Avoid Addiction Treatment

There are fewer women and more men in treatment for substance use disorder. However, women who are in treatment often have more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social problems, and this is likely because women’s progression from first using a substance to developing dependence is much quicker than it is for men.(5)

In studies on treatment outcomes, women who receive treatment for a substance use disorder often fare better than men.(7)

Some may find women-only programs meet their needs better and reduce some of the barriers to getting treatment.(7)

However, women may be reluctant to enter addiction treatment for several reasons. In particular, the burden of balancing work and home responsibilities with going to treatment may feel overwhelming.(5)

A few other reasons women may not seek treatment include the following:(5,6)

• Stigma related to getting addiction treatment.
• Lack of partner or family support.
• Lack of childcare.
• Financial hardship.
• Pregnancy and fear of losing children to authorities.
• Limited time to attend treatment.

Women who choose to enter treatment, whether a co-ed program or a women’s only rehab program, will still experience similar treatment methods.

Research suggests that gender-specific treatment is no more or less effective than programs that include both men and women.(7)

Treatment Methods Used at Women’s Rehabs

The methods used at women’s only rehab programs are typically like those used in other addiction treatment programs. However, special focus may be placed on catering to the needs of women, including addressing gender-related issues such as pre- and post-natal care.(6)

Common programs and services found at women’s rehabs may include:

• Individual and group therapy: Drug and alcohol treatment centres often use several methods of evidence-based psychotherapies in individual and group therapy sessions , such cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to help women understand reasons for substance misuse and identify and cope with situations that are likely to result in a relapse.
• Community support: The women in these programs often experience a shared sense of community that allows them to better understand each other’s problems. This environment also allows them to discuss their experiences more openly and establish a support network for after treatment.
• Medications: If necessary, some women may be prescribed medications during detoxification to help ease withdrawal symptoms. A therapist or psychiatrist may also recommend medications like antidepressants to help with co-occurring disorders.

Diagnosing and Treating Co-Occurring Disorders

Women struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol may also have co-occurring mental health disorders.

The standard of care for treating substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions (sometimes also referred to as having a “dual diagnosis”) is to take an integrated approach to treatment, and to address both issues concurrently.(6)

Some common co-occurring mental health disorders women may have alongside a substance use disorder include:(6)

• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Eating disorders.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

When co-occurring conditions aren’t properly treated, women may be at increased risk for relapse, poor psychosocial functioning, health problems, or even suicidal behavior.(6)

If you or a loved one have a dual diagnosis, seeking a women’s only treatment program that treats co-occurring disorders may be a helpful and effective option.

Addiction and Pregnancy

Substance use among pregnant women remains a significant problem.

Studies show an increased use of marijuana during pregnancy and a significant rise in pregnant women with opioid use disorder between 1999 and 2014.(2)

Some estimates show that as much as 5% of pregnant women use one or more addictive substances.(8)

Treatment for Pregnant Women

Getting treatment is important regardless of whether a woman is pregnant; however, the potential risks are higher for the unborn fetus when a woman uses substances while pregnant.(6)

Finding treatment that specifically addresses the needs of pregnant women may help a woman find the medical, social, psychological, and pre-natal support she needs to help protect herself and her unborn child.

Effective addiction treatment for pregnant women should include:(6)

• Nutritional support and counseling.
• Education about effects of substance use on the fetus.
• Evaluation for PTSD and trauma-related services.
• Obstetric and gynecological services.
• Treatment for co-occurring disorders.
• Comprehensive clinical support.
• Community support services.
• Therapy, including family therapy, helps address personal relationships.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), pregnant women who are addicted to alcohol often respond well to motivational interviewing (MI) as part of their treatment. Motivational interviewing is a compassionate and nonjudgmental therapy style that helps to resolve ambivalence about using alcohol in pregnancy.(6)

Treatment for Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorder

Pregnant women or anyone struggling with opioid misuse should not try to quit opioids alone as they can present uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal from opioids can cause fetal problems in pregnant women; however, proper treatment and medication management may help reduce health effects or harm to the fetus.(6)

Clinical guidelines recommend that pregnant women should be treated with medication for opioid use disorder (e.g., methadone or buprenorphine), which increases the likelihood of better outcomes for the baby and a reduced risk of relapse for the mother.(6,9,10)

Some drug or alcohol rehab programs will not accept pregnant women because they do not specifically offer obstetric support and are concerned about liability.(6)

Check with the program beforehand to see if they offer these services.

Find an Addiction Treatment Program for Women

If you or a loved one is ready to seek rehab for a substance use disorder, explore your options and reach out to a rehab centre using our search tool today!

Sources

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, September 18). Principles of Effective Treatment.
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, January 22). Substance Use in Women DrugFacts.
3. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, October 23). Excessive Alcohol Use is a Risk to Women’s Health.
4. Whitley, H., & Lindsey, W. (2009). Sex-based differences in drug activity. American Family Physician, 80(11), 1254–1258.
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, April 13). Sex and Gender Differences in Substance Use.
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 51. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 13-4426. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2009.
7. Green, C. A. (2006). Gender and use of substance abuse treatment services. Alcohol research & health: The Journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 29(1), 55–62.
8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, June 22). Substance Use While Pregnant and Breastfeeding.
9. Sebastiani, G., Borrás-Novell, C., Casanova, M. A., Pascual Tutusaus, M., Ferrero Martínez, S., Gómez Roig, M. D., & García-Algar, O. (2018). The Effects of Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse on Maternal Nutritional Profile during Pregnancy. Nutrients, 10(8), 1008.
10. SAMHSA. (2018, August). Treating Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy.