women's issues
Kate Roach looks at areas of particular concern to women who take drugs
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On average, men drink more and use more illegal drugs than women do, but there is growing concern that women are catching up fast. There are also worries that women don't seek treatment as readily as men do, because they face a greater stigma, and because mothers fear that admitting they have a problem could jeopardise their relationship with their children.
confidentiality
Because of such fears, confidentiality is particularly important for women who want help with a drug or alcohol problem. And this doesn't only apply if you've already got kids, but if you are pregnant or you would like to have a family in the future.
If you're told a service is confidential, ask exactly what this means. Most drug workers will be sympathetic to your needs. If you get the facts about the limitations to confidentiality and the circumstances in which they might apply, you'll be in a position to decide how much to say without putting yourself in a difficult position. Usually, social services will only be called upon if drugs agencies believe that someone in your care is suffering from neglect, violence or abuse.
There is more detailed information below for pregnant women and mothers.
drugs, health and inequality
One of the reasons that increased drinking and drug-taking in young women causes particular concern is that there are differences in the way that substances affect women's bodies as compared to men's. One aspect of this is a connection between certain drugs and specific diseases in women: for example, women who drink heavily have a slightly greater risk of developing breast cancer. But the main point is that, unfair as it seems, on the whole women's bodies are not as efficient as men's at flushing out poisons. Women therefore have a tendency to develop drug-related health problems more quickly than men do. So if you're a woman and you use drugs or alcohol, you may need to take extra care of your health. Have regular health checks if you can.
You may also find your periods become irregular, heavier or lighter. They might even stop altogether. Don't panic: this is quite common, though if your periods have stopped it's best to take a pregnancy test just in case. And always remember that if you've stopped having periods, it doesn't mean you've stopped producing eggs – you might still get pregnant.
There is evidence that some drugs affect the hormonal cycle directly, but all drugs can do so indirectly – by affecting your appetite and sleep patterns, for example, or contributing to your getting generally run down. Drugs such as heroin, amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy tend to dull the appetite, and amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy can also make you lose sleep.
general safety
Some drugs may make you feel inclined to take risks you wouldn't normally. So if you're using and going out, or you're going out drinking, plan ahead and make sure you have a safe way of getting home. See also safer using.
The media has highlighted a drug called Rohypnol as a 'date rape' drug. Rohypnol is a tranquilliser that can make you pass out or suffer short-term memory loss, leaving you vulnerable to sexual exploitation or rape. The drug has no taste so you wouldn't notice it if it was slipped into your drink. But the extent of the use of Rohypnol is not really known – it's probably very rare.
However, it's best to be cautious. And remember that alcohol and other drugs can be just as effective at knocking you out or making you do things you normally wouldn't. So avoid drinking and/or taking drugs with people that you don't trust. Try to go with friends to clubs or bars so that you can look out for each other. And don't leave your drinks unattended in a bar.
contraception
Choose a type of contraception that fits your lifestyle. If you find it difficult to take the pill regularly, you could consider alternatives, such as 'barrier' methods.
Alcohol and other drugs can make you more relaxed about having sex – not only about who you have sex with but how you have it. Always use condoms to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including hepatitis and HIV. See the sex section for more on safer sex.
pregnancy
If you're pregnant, you may be worried about how any illegal drugs you are using will affect your baby. But most women who use drugs have a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby. Many other factors, including the quality of your diet, whether or not you have regular medical checks, and whether or not you smoke and drink, can affect the outcome of your pregnancy at least as much as illegal drugs can. (You might like to check out the making baby feature in our family section for more information on these issues.)
If you're not a regular user and have only used drugs for fun, don't worry too much. The important thing is that you stop using now and get good antenatal care. If you use drugs regularly and you want to stop while you're pregnant, then you should seek medical guidance, either from your doctor or via a drugs agency (see help and info). Suddenly stopping some drugs might lead to complications for you and the baby.
It might not be possible for you to stop using drugs completely when you are pregnant and you may be advised not to do so by your doctor. Your baby may be born with withdrawal symptoms if you continue to use certain drugs in pregnancy, but these can usually be treated effectively.
Sue Farrell, a former midwife who now runs a project for women who use drugs and are pregnant or have children under the age of five, admits she has come across a lot of prejudice against drug-using mothers. 'But there are a lot of services around with very sympathetic and non-judgemental staff who give good advice and support to women,' she says. 'Different drugs have different effects: some of them can lead to premature birth or babies that are small for their date. Heavy alcohol use in particular can lead to developmental problems. So we really need to know all the facts if we are to help.'
It's quite normal to worry about telling your doctor or midwife that you are still using drugs or drinking. But it is important that you find a service that enables you to discuss all the facts openly, without fear of any come-back.
Sue Farrell is very aware of this. 'I see a lot of women who fear that social services will take their baby away if they admit to using drugs or drinking,' she says. 'But this isn't always the case. If social services are involved, then it's best to tell the truth – otherwise they'll think that there's something to hide. The key is to show willing to attend the services that will give the baby the best possible chance. This usually involves attending antenatal services during pregnancy and postnatal services after the birth, seeing the health visitor and/or GP, and being ready to reduce or stabilise your drug use. Most of the mums I work with go home with their babies. Social services will often keep in touch with them to check all's well, but that's all.'
As well as finding an antenatal service, you may also want to get some support to control your drug use during pregnancy. If you're lucky, you may be able to get both under one roof, because drug agencies run many antenatal services that are sympathetic to drug users.
There are contacts in help and info that will help you find a suitable antenatal service. In addition, the feature problems and services reviews the help that's available to drug users and gives some practical advice on finding an appropriate service if you want help.
drugs and your kids
Having children can make it more difficult to get support. Very few detox programmes take children. Also, mothers worry that if they seek help from medical professionals their children may be taken away from them.
But you don't have to be a drug user to be a bad parent, and good parents use drugs too. If you are using drugs, you should ask yourself the same sort of questions that a social worker would ask. If you find that you would answer 'yes' to some or all of the questions below, then you might need some support to help you look after your child or children.
- Do you think you would be a different kind of parent if you weren't using drugs?
- Have you had to move house a lot?
- Do you live with other drug users? Do you or your children spend a lot of time with drug users?
- Does the way you get drugs put your children at risk?
- Do you often leave your child at home alone?
- Are you able to pay the bills regularly?
- Do you feed and clothe your child, keep them warm, show them affection, get them to school?
- Do you (or your partner) feel that your drug use is causing problems for your child?
- Is an older child doing work that a parent would normally do?
- Do you often feel too ill to attend to your child's needs?
If you are experiencing difficulties meeting the day-to-day needs of your child, it might be a good idea to seek help with childcare from a member of your family, if this is possible. If not, then you could contact a drug agency for advice on where you can get help. Being separated from your children, even for a relatively short time, is probably the last thing that you want, but if you can get a break to focus on yourself, it might be best for everyone in the long run.
For instance, nine-year-old Kathy was understandably upset when she went into temporary foster care after her mother decided she needed help for a heroin habit. But she can understand why it was necessary – and things are much better now. 'My mum couldn't really keep up with things around the house,' Kathy says. 'She tried to keep things going for me and my little brother, but she was always getting so ill, and sometimes she would just be so sleepy she couldn't be bothered. In the end she had to go to hospital to get better. We had to go into foster care. I was really scared and lonely at first. But the people we stayed with were really nice and explained everything. Mum used to ring us every day. Now we're back at home and things are much better than before.'
If you think you need help but you're worried about the consequences, remember that the fact that you are seeking treatment will count in your favour. Keep in touch with your social worker if you have one and be honest about your needs. Your GP may be able to offer you support too. Most professionals nowadays focus on keeping children and parents together wherever possible.
See Sarah's diary for a first-hand account of a mother-and-child residential rehabilitation unit.
special services
Evidence of women's increasing use of drugs has helped to galvanise agencies into providing more user-friendly services. Rebecca Walker, Drug Action Team Co-ordinator for Lambeth, in south London, says that women who use drugs often have special needs. 'Women tend to keep their act together for so long and they are slow in coming forward for help, so when they do, we need to be able to act quickly, with the right service – which may be very different to what men are after.'
Services aimed specifically at women may still be hard to find (see help and info for more information), but the situation is improving. The Stockwell Project, a direct-access centre for drug users, is an example of how services are adapting. 'Any user can walk in off the street and get help,' says Mick Collins, team leader, 'but we do run a women's session once a week. We're hoping that we'll be able to offer some more specialised services to women soon, like pregnancy advice and child-care support. It's really important that women get non-judgemental services in these situations, otherwise they just won't seek help. It's understandable.'
If your local service doesn't have a specific session for women, it may at least allow you to specify the gender of your drug worker or counsellor.
other problems
It is now recognised that the background of drug and alcohol problems in quite a number of women has involved childhood or adult sexual abuse or serious trauma or neglect. Any good helping agency should be able to help you talk about such issues or refer you on to somewhere where you can do so in a safe and confidential manner.
If you are trying to cope with drug and alcohol problems in a partner or child, there are organisations that can provide support. See help and info below.
help and info
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organisations
Women's Alcohol Centre
66a Drayton Park
London N5 1ND
Tel: 020 7226 4581 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm except Tue pm)
E-mail: info@arp-uk.org
Website: www.arp-uk.org
Offers a range of services for women who are worried about their drinking. Services include drop-in advice and support, one-to-one sessions, complementary therapies, access to residential programmes and referral to other agencies.
Alcohol Concern
32-36 Loman Street
London SE1 0EE
Telephone: 020 7928 7377 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
E-mail: contact@alcoholconcern.org.uk
Website: www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
Alcohol Concern acts as the national umbrella body for 500 local agencies tackling alcohol-related harm and offering help to the families and friends of those with alcohol-related problems.
Drinkline
PO Box 4000
Glasgow G3 8XX
Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (24 hours, every day)
A free national helpline offering advice and information for people with alcohol problems or anyone concerned about alcohol misuse. Provide advice on sensible drinking and information on local support services to help people cut down on their drinking.
Al-Anon Family Groups UK and Eire
61 Great Dover Street
London SE1 4YF
Tel: 020 7403 0888 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, answerphone available)
Website: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers. Alateen is for young people aged 12-20 who have been affected by someone else's drinking. See the website for details of branches in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire.
Families Anonymous
Charlotte Despard Avenue
Battersea
London SW11 5HD
Helpline: 0845 1200 660 (Mon-Fri 1pm-5pm, otherwise telephone numbers of volunteer contacts are given by recorded message).
E-mail: office@famanon.org.uk
Website: www.famanon.org.uk
Runs groups throughout the UK for relatives and friends of people using drugs or with related behavioural problems.
FPA
2-12 Pentonville Road
London N1 9FP
Helpline: 0845 310 1334 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm)
fpa Scotland: 0141 576 5088 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm; Fri 9am-4.30pm)
fpa Northern Ireland: 028 90 325 488 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm; Fri 9am-4.30pm)
Website: www.fpa.org.uk
The fpa can advise on all sexual health matters, including contraception, abortion and sexual health. A range of factsheets are available to download free from the website. You can also get details of family planning clinics, sexual health clinics and other sexual health services anywhere in the UK.
FRANK
Helpline: 0800 77 66 00 (Every day 24 hours)
Textphone: 0800 917 8765
E-mail: frank@talktofrank.com
Website: www.talktofrank.com
Provides free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day. All calls are confidential. Use the website's search facility to get the contact details of organisations offering practical help and support in your area.
National Missing Persons Helpline
Message Home Helpline: 0800 700 740 (for those over 18 to seek advice, help or to send a message home)
E-mail: help@messagehome.org
Website: www.missingpersons.org
Confidential freephone helpline for anyone who has left home or run away, to let someone know they are safe and to get confidential help and advice. Women escaping domestic violence can use this service without having to give details of where they are.
Refuge
2-8 Maltravers Street
London WC2R 3EE
Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
E-mail: info@refuge.org.uk
Website: www.refuge.org.uk
Provide counselling, support and welfare rights for women and children escaping domestic violence as well as accommodation and refuge.
Roofie Foundation
Monkswell House
Manse Lane
Knaresborough HG5 8NQ
Helpline: 0800 783 2980 (24 hours)
E-mail: trf@roofie.org.uk
Website: www.roofie.com
Specialist agency operating in the area of drug rape and related issues. The helpline offers information and support for those who have experienced 'date rape' and the website features useful legal advice.
Samaritans
c/o Chris
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours)
E-mail: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
The Samaritans exists to provide confidential emotional support to any person, irrespective of race, creed, age or status who is in emotional distress or at risk of suicide; 24 hours a day. Can be contacted by e-mail, telephone, writing, or by visiting one of over 200 local branches (details are on the website).
Shelter
Shelterline: 0808 800 4444 (24 hours)
E-mail: info@shelter.org.uk
Website: www.shelternet.org.uk
A national organisation working to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people. Shelter offers free, professional and independent advice to anyone with a housing problem. Shelterline advisors will discuss your rights, explain your options and help you take action. The Shelternet website provides information and advice on housing issues such as renting, rights and homelessness.
Women's Aid
PO Box 391
Bristol BS99 7WS
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
E-mail: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Website: www.womensaid.org.uk
The National Domestic Violence Helpline provides confidential support, help and information to anyone experiencing (or who has experienced) physical, emotional or sexual violence in the home. Helpline staff can explain support options available to you and, where necessary, refer you to a refuge, a local Women's Aid group or other sources of help and information. You do not need to be in an emergency situation to contact Women's Aid.
websites
Action on Addiction
www.aona.co.uk
An information service for people who are worried that they have an addiction or that a friend or member of the family might have a problem.
AVERT.org
www.avert.org/druguse.htm
Information on HIV prevention and reducing the risks of injecting.
www.urban75.com/Drugs/druguse.html
Information on safe drug use including a guide to cleaning needles as a last resort if new ones cannot be obtained.
Women for Sobriety
www.womenforsobriety.org
A non-profit organisation dedicated to helping women overcome alcoholism and other addictions. An American-based organisation that has self-help groups throughout the world.
reading
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Overcoming Addiction by Corinne Sweet (Piatkus Books, 1999) |
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Women and Alcohol: A Private Pleasure or a Public Problem? by Elizabeth Ettorre (The Women's Press, 1997) |
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Drugs and harm reduction by Sarah Wellard (DrugScope, 2004) |
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(revised February 2003, resources updated February 2005)
