Nguyen Van, Bellhouse Clare
Odyssey House Victoria, Footscray, Victoria, Australia.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Health Soc Care Community. 2022 Sep;30(5):e2080-e2087. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13643. Epub 2021 Nov 12.
Gender differences exist in the progression, initiation and maintenance of substance use disorders (SUDs). Women encounter unique barriers to accessing treatment for their SUDs and commonly report higher perceptions of stigma around their substance use. Currently, there is a paucity of women-specific treatment options that address their perception of stigma and shame regarding SUDs. The Women of the West (WOW) programme is a pilot study that explores the subjective acceptability and feasibility of participating in a recreational and relational skill development group for women with SUDs. The pilot study adopts qualitative research methods including focus groups and interviews with ten participants who self-identify as women experiencing SUDs and two programme facilitators. The programme's primary aim is to promote participants' relational skills with peers in an enjoyable, and therapeutic environment. It is anticipated as participants develop their relational skills with peers, their sense of stigma regarding their SUDs and social isolation will decrease. Ultimately this can promote their long-term recovery from SUDs and overall well-being. Findings from this study will provide direction for future programme development and treatment services seeking to promote better outcomes for women with SUDs.
物质使用障碍（SUDs）的进展、起始和维持存在性别差异。女性在获得SUDs治疗方面面临独特障碍，并且通常报告称对自己物质使用的污名感更强。目前，针对女性对SUDs的污名感和羞耻感的特定治疗选择很少。西部女性（WOW）项目是一项试点研究，探索参与针对患有SUDs的女性的娱乐和关系技能发展小组的主观可接受性和可行性。该试点研究采用定性研究方法，包括焦点小组以及对十名自我认定为患有SUDs的女性参与者和两名项目促进者的访谈。该项目的主要目标是在一个愉快且具有治疗作用的环境中提升参与者与同伴的关系技能。预计随着参与者与同伴发展关系技能，她们对SUDs的污名感和社会隔离感将会降低。最终，这可以促进她们从SUDs中实现长期康复并提升整体幸福感。本研究的结果将为未来旨在为患有SUDs的女性取得更好治疗效果的项目开发和治疗服务提供指导。
