Women, Spirituality, and the Art of Recovery

This workshop will examine the unique challenges facing women in recovery from alcoholism. With the trajectory to alcoholism shorter than with men and the medical consequences potentially more severe, it is important to understand fully the impact of alcohol addiction on women. According to Joseph A. Califano, Jr., chairman and president of CASA, National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, "The one size fits all prevention and treatment approach, largely driven by male substance abuse, has condemned millions of girls and women to tragic episodes of abuse and addiction that have ruined too many lives."

Alcoholism impacts women severely at a physiological, psychological, and spiritual level. Self-destructive patterns of living such as improper diet, cigarette smoking, and lack of exercise, even beyond sobriety, will increase the likelihood of the re-occurrence of addictive patterns of alcohol abuse. In understanding the unique needs of women in recovery, health care providers can tailor design interventions aimed at health risks specific to women.

This workshop will develop participants’ working knowledge and tools on the needs of women in recovery through exploration of health and wellness interventions. In addition, opportunity will be given to highlight success stories, Sheros in Recovery; the focus being on women who have demonstrated fortitude in their personal paths to recovery.

Objectives:

By the completion of this workshop, the participant will:

• Understand the physiological, psychological, and spiritual impact of alcoholism on women
• Appreciate healthy drug-free ways of coping with addiction
• Examine the role of spirituality in recovery for women
• Identify common themes and highlght success stories of women who have shown fortitude in their personal paths to recovery
• Explore next steps and implications for practice