Haven for SUCCESS Women’s program offers strength through community
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reating substance use disorders requires a tailored approach that takes into account each person’s unique circumstances. Treatment providers have also long acknowledged that men and women experience addiction dierently, and require dierent treatment methods to achieve the best results. To that end, UMADAOP Lucas County oers a unique women’s treatment program known as “First Haven” focuses on meeting each individual client’s needs while creating a community through shared experiences. Supportive environment Developed in conjunction with UMADAOP Lucas County’s full continuum of services, the First Haven Women’s Program provides client-centered programming specically designed for women. Program sta understand that women in active addiction experience a unique set of challenges, and they aim to prepare women both emotionally and physically to meet those challenges head on. “Basically, it’s a gender-specic program for women dealing with “ey feel safe being able to talk about some things they wouldn't feel comfortable talking about in a mixed-gender group.” - Joyce Vidales, First Haven Women’s Program
drug addiction and emotional trauma, to understand how to get their lives straightened out and how to get back on track,” says Joyce Vidales, a CDCA treatment counselor with the First Haven program. “We’re trying to help them rise above their situation and their circumstances so they can believe in themselves and become more productive members of society.” e First Haven program oers intensive outpatient treatment along with group meetings, individual counseling, and can connect clients to outside agencies when needed. But beyond the practical support with things like housing and medical services, it’s the emotional support that sets the program apart. Vidales says when women come together, it’s often easier for them to open up and be honest about their challenges.ey know the other women in the room understand their struggle and those shared experiences create an emotional support network that facilitates real, positive change. “ey feel safe being able to talk about some things they wouldn't feel comfortable talking about in a mixed-gender group,” Vidales says. “We try to encourage them and lift them up and let them know that they don’t have to suer this abuse anymore.” Breaking barriers Change isn’t always easy, and it rarely comes quickly. Vidales says rebuilding a shattered life is like trying to put together a 1,000 piece puzzle. But she says through group and individual counseling sessions, women slowly
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