MOBILE, Ala., Feb. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AltaPointe Health, a leading provider of behavioral health services in Alabama, is making strides in addressing substance use disorders among women. The Special Women’s Program is a comprehensive treatment initiative designed specifically to meet the unique needs of women battling addiction.
Historically, substance use treatment programs have been tailored more toward men, as they were more likely to seek treatment. However, AltaPointe Health recognizes that women face different challenges that may contribute to addiction and hinder recovery.
AltaPointe Health offers a specialized substance use treatment program that is tailored to meet the unique needs of women in our community. Women tend to face different issues and different barriers to treatment than men do, so this program was designed to offer a safe, women-only space for them to address their addictions. Take a listen as Misty Bowen, assistant director of substance use programs, shares important information about this service with FM Talk 106.5.
“Women tend to face different issues than men, like lower wages, childcare responsibilities, and more trauma. For example, one in three women has been a victim of intimate partner violence in their lifetime. And that can’t be overlooked when it comes to addiction,” explained Misty Bowen, assistant director of substance use programs at AltaPointe Health.
The heart of the Special Women’s Program lies in creating a safe, gender-specific environment where women feel comfortable addressing the underlying causes of their addiction.
“Whether its issues that may have initiated their addiction or experiences that happened during the course of their addiction, we create a space where they can openly talk about these challenges and receive the support they need to overcome them,” added Bowen.
AltaPointe also actively works to remove barriers that women face when seeking treatment, such as assisting patients in finding childcare options and offering treatment hours that are more convenient for women juggling multiple responsibilities.
The Special Women’s Program offers a variety of evidence-based treatment options, including talk therapy, peer specialists who have lived experience in recovery, and medication-assisted treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders. These medications can help ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and they come in various forms – daily pills or monthly injections – to meet individual needs.
In September 2024, AltaPointe Health opened a medically-managed withdrawal unit at the Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC) located in Mobile.
“Withdrawals can be dangerous and even life-threatening,” Bowen warned. “Our withdrawal unit offers a safe space with physicians and nurses who monitor each patient and keep them as comfortable as possible.” After a few days of detox at the BHCC, patients are seamlessly transitioned to outpatient care, like the Special Women’s Program, or residential treatment if needed, where they can continue their treatment and medications.
Recovery is a journey that requires addressing the whole person, including any significant trauma they may have experienced. Learning to cope with those traumas and move forward takes time and work.
“And that’s the beautiful part of this program—to see each woman’s journey. Some come in feeling like everything is going wrong in their life, and through the program, they regain their strength. They become the mothers they once were or always wanted to be. It’s beautiful to watch that transformation,” added Bowen.
AltaPointe Health’s Special Women’s Program stands as a beacon of hope for women struggling with addiction, offering them the support, resources, and safe space they need to reclaim their lives and build a brighter future. If you or a loved one are ready to begin the road to recovery, call AltaPointe’s access to care team at (251) 450-2211.
About AltaPointe Health
AltaPointe Health is a comprehensive behavioral healthcare system serving seven counties across Alabama. Each year, it provides more than 1 million hospital, outpatient, and residential services to over 40,000 individuals.
SOURCE AltaPointe Health Systems
