According to an article in Mental Health Screening, the number of victims of sexual assault in the United States is at about 293,000 per year. This number of sexual assaults is alarming and sadly only 70 percent of assaults are not reported to authorities. The reason for this is many times, victims have experienced such a high level of trauma that they refuse to relive it.
Those men and women who are victims of sexual assault are “three times [as] likely to suffer from depression, and six times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.” Many of those that have experienced this type of assault will use drugs or alcohol to cope with their experience. This is where addiction to drugs or alcohol can be triggered. A person who has been sexually assaulted can use these substances as a type of self-medication or a means of escape. A sexual assault victim who is experiencing depression may also self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to mask the symptoms of depression. Studies have shown “that sexual abuse victims are 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol and 26 times more likely to abuse drugs than those who have not been sexually abused.”
If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted and now struggles with addiction to alcohol or drugs there is help available. A treatment facility like New Directions for Women helps women find recovery through therapies related to trauma. Our master’s level clinicians help to identify any trauma that you or your loved one may have experienced. We provide the tools necessary to address trauma and provide the compassion and care that you or your loved one may need. New Directions for Women provides a variety of therapies to address trauma, including equine therapy, Seeking Safety, Psychodrama, and drum circle. These are just a snapshot of the therapies that we provide for trauma related to sexual assault. We also conduct group therapies where women share in a gender separate environment the trauma that they may have faced. This allows for you or your loved one to share with someone who may have had a similar experience.
We specialize in the treatment of trauma related to addiction. Call us. We can help.
If you or someone you love struggles with addiction to drugs or alcohol during pregnancy, call us today. Our caring admissions counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No woman has to suffer in silence or shame. There is help available.
New Directions for Women is a treatment facility located in California that offers help to women of all ages, pregnant women in any trimester, and women with children. Founded in 1977, our courageous and visionary founders asked for the help of Newport Beach Junior League members to fulfill their vision of a tranquil home-like facility that would treat women with dignity and respect. Our caring admissions counselors are available 24/7 to take your call and answer any questions you may have on getting help. Reach us by phone at 800-93-WOMEN. We can help. Stay in the loop with New Directions for Women by connecting with us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
