At first glance, the statistics relating to alcohol and drug abuse by women seem comforting. Males are almost three times more likely than females to be alcohol abusers or alcohol dependent, and the male-to-female ratio for dependence on illicit drugs is even greater (4.9 to 1.3 percent). But when we translate these percentages to numbers, we realize that millions of women have substance abuse problems.

The good news is that women with addictions are getting help. In 1935, in the beginning days of Alcoholics Anonymous, few believed that women could even become chemically dependent. The bad news is that although more women are receiving treatment for their substance abuse (about 25 percent of clients in traditional treatment centers are women), the same barriers that kept women from getting help in the past still exist today.

Many women lack the personal funds or health insurance to pay for treatment. Many lack childcare options and fear that their children will be taken from them if they seek public assistance to help them get sober. For some, transportation and job security are issues. For others, the same shame and fear of reprisal that kept women silent about their addictions 65 years ago keeps them silent today.

To this list, Sharon Amatetti, a public health analyst at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, adds the real problem of the lack of community treatment resources nationwide. She reports that many advocacy organizations have come together to address this concern by introducing legislation that will increase services for families with alcohol and drug problems.

The fact sheet that supports the "Child Protection/Alcohol and Drug Partnership Act" (S. 2435/H.R. 5081) notes the shortage of all types of publicly funded substance abuse treatment opportunities for those in need, especially for women. It also recognizes that over two-thirds of the parents involved in the child welfare system need substance abuse treatment, but that agencies currently can provide treatment services for less than one-third of those in need. The legislation is intended to expand both prevention and treatment services for parents so children can be kept safe and families can remain intact.

Some of the more progressive treatment centers provide on-premises childcare for mothers, recognizing that these women may be more receptive to treatment if they don't have to worry about their children while they recover. Research shows that women also receive the most benefit from treatment programs that provide comprehensive services for meeting other basic needs, such as nutrition, transportation, job counseling and medical care.

The need for such support does not magically subside after several weeks in treatment, because many of the barriers that keep women from getting help still exist as they re-enter society after treatment. "It's easy for women to slip into more of a survival mode than recovery mode after treatment," said Sandy Kleven, supervisor of the Hazelden Women and Children's Recovery Community in New Brighton, Minn. "They need to get a roof over their heads so they can begin building a new life for themselves and their children. Our center helps them reintegrate into society by practicing the Twelve Steps as a way of living."

The Hazelden Women and Children's Recovery Community consists of a cluster of apartment units where women who have been drug-free and sober for several months can live with their children in a safe, supportive environment. The women receive support services that help enhance their recoveries and help them learn the skills needed to achieve family, financial and career goals. Many services and activities are provided for children. Women residents receive continuing care support, such as a Twelve Step group and other individual and group meetings. They also support each other by sharing rides, childcare, friendship and sobriety.

Visit the Hazelden website for more information about the Women and Children's Recovery Community or call 1-800-257-7810. To learn about the Child Protection/Alcohol and Drug Partnership Act, visit the Child Welfare League of America's Web site.

--Published March 26, 2001