P0221 - Special issues in addiction treatment: Addressing the unique needs of addict women in a recovery program in Cairo

Abstract

Objectives:

Designing and implementing a culturally sensitive and specific education on relapse prevention messages that meet the needs for addict women in an Egyptian recovery process. To contribute to upgrading their skills and self assertion, approaching their unique problems and helping their empowerment.

Methodology:

25 polysubstance abuse women (24 Egyptian and 1 Arab) joined a therapeutic community rehabilitation program, where the following was assessed: Addiction severity, impulsivity, sexual orientation, co morbidity, medical complications of addiction, effect of social taboo and stigma, psychodynamic correlates and skills assessment.

Cognitive therapy, art therapy, life skills training (stressing on how to overcome stigma, codependence, etc..) and vocational training were provided.

Outcomes:

Emphasis on skills to overcome socio-cultural challenges were found to be accompanied by significant more favorable outcome than only stressing on classic relapse prevention techniques.

Conclusion:

It was found that Women from special cultural subgroups can face strong taboos about disclosing family secrets, especially around interpersonal violence. Women can fear abandonment if they violate cultural norms. Those disclosing sexual violations can risk severe devaluation within or expulsion from their community, and they can lack the hope for improvement that could propel them past this barrier. Gender disparities in the society was found also affecting the management outcome. Integrating assertion skills, communication skills and vocational skills to women substance dependence rehabilitation program may lead to increase sobriety rate.