Recovery from an addiction is hard for both men and women. But women often have unique sets of issues that can make recovery much more difficult. Many women who have been sexually or otherwise physically abused turn to drugs or alcohol as coping mechanisms. They often suffer from nearly-debilitating depression. Add to that the victimization that can happen to a woman who's trying to 'score' her next hit, and women seeking to recovery are often broken emotionally and psychologically.

"Those pieces don't magically mend just because someone puts down the drink or the drug. In some cases, the withdrawal of the substance can cause all of those old psychological wounds to being to fester anew. And those issues... have implications as to how much a person is able to recover."

Unfortunately, most recovery programs are based on male experiences. Alcohol Anonymous' 12-Step program, for example, can conflict with the ways that women are often taught to deal with domestic violence.

Copper Canyon Academy is a private boarding school for girls in Arizona. Learn more about their residential treatment program for struggling girls.

Labels: addicts, girls, recovery