Abstract
This systematic review of the literature examines the barriers women, especially women who are pregnant and parenting, experience when they attempt to access treatment for a substance use problem. These barriers impact their rate of entering and successfully completing treatment thus preventing them from returning to full participation in society. A provider of residential treatment for women with substance use disorders wants to develop a program that can reduce or remove some of these barriers. Does the evidence support a practice change to a gender specific, comprehensive inpatient residential treatment program for women who are pregnant and parenting?