Advancing Current Treatments: Women, Poverty, and Co-occurring Disorders

Abstract

This article aims to conceptually advance current treatments for women in poverty experiencing the co-occurring effects of trauma and substance abuse by employing both systemic and feminist perspectives. Treatment of individuals dealing with substance abuse and trauma has revealed reciprocity between the two experiences. Therefore, in order to be effective, it is crucial that treatment takes this relationship into account. By analyzing the case study of one client, Jenny, current treatment models and societal understandings of women with co-occurring disorders will be addressed and challenged. The evidence indicates that integrative treatment plans will be enhanced with the additional aftercare inclusions of intensive case management, Dual Recovery Anonymous, and family therapy.

Keywords:

• co-occurring disorders
• Dual Recovery Anonymous
• family therapy
• feminist
• intensive case management
• integrative treatment
• mental health
• poverty
• Seeking Safety
• substance abuse
• systemic
• trauma
• women