WPCNR VITAL SIGNS.  From Hazelden Women's Recovery Center. November 3, 2008: More than 100 women in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction from your area are expected to attend Hazelden’s annual Women Healing® conference on November 8 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown White Plains. Speaking at the event is Brenda Iliff, clinical director of the Hazelden Women’s Recovery Center. Brenda will offer attendees valuable advice from her new book, A Woman’s Guide to Recovery.

In her book, Iliff draws on more than 20 years of clinical experience in the addiction treatment field to teach women about:

§       The basics of addiction, and how to get started in recovery

§       How addiction and recovery are different for women

§       What self-care means – physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually

§       How recovery affects relationships, including those with children

§       Why does relapse happen?  The myths and warning signs, and tips for preventing relapse

§       Practical tips for getting and staying in recovery

§       How the promises of recovery can transform a woman’s life

Brenda’s book provides much needed hope to women who want to begin helping themselves, one step at a time. The book is currently available through book retailers and Hazelden’s Web site (www.hazelden.org), and will be available at the conference as well.

I’d like to invite you to speak with Brenda about the unique issues women face with addiction. She is available for interviews prior to the conference and on-site the day of the event, and at your request I’d be happy to send you a copy of her book. If you have questions or would like more information I can be reached at jbraun@webershandwick.com or 952-346-6103.

Best regards,

Jill Braun

On behalf of Hazelden

952-346-6103

Key Facts about Women and Addiction

Most recent data on women and addiction/treatment specifically include:

§       In 2006, 7.4 million women aged 18 or older needed treatment for a substance abuse disorder involving alcohol or illicit drugs, but only 822,000 (11.2 percent) received treatment, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

§       The reasons for not receiving substance use treatment among the women with an unmet treatment need were as follows: 36.1 percent were not ready to stop using alcohol or illicit drugs, 34.4 percent could not cover their treatment costs because of no or inadequate health insurance coverage, and 28.9 percent did not seek substance use treatment because of social stigma. (2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health)

(Note: The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health has recently been published, but does not address new data per the above regarding women specifically.)

The disease of addiction and receiving treatment are unique for women because:

§       Women start using alcohol and drugs for different reasons than men.

§       Women metabolize alcohol and drugs different than men, enabling them to become addicted more quickly and experience more progressive and destructive physical health effects from using.

§       Women experience co-occurring mental health disorders differently than men including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress syndrome, which need to be addressed in treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.

§       There are often barriers for women to seek and receive treatment for addiction including childcare and family needs, stigma and shame and financial concerns.

Conference Details:

Hazelden Women Healing Conference

November 7-8, 2008 (Day 1 for professionals, Day 2 for women in recovery)

Crowne Plaza Hotel – Downtown White Plains

66 Hale Avenue

White Plains, NY 10601

Cost: $75 pre-registration online by Nov. 3, or, $95 at the door

For more information visit http://www.hazelden.org/web/public/womenhealing.page or call 888-257-7810, ext. 4429.