Gender-sensitive therapy. An alternative for women in substance abuse treatment.

This article examines internal and external factors that put women at risk of substance use/abuse. Gender-sensitive therapy is suggested as an effective treatment to deal with the intrapsychic causes of problems as well as societal expectations and oppression that contribute to women's thoughts and behaviors. The focus of therapy is on providing a caring, nurturing, and empowering environment for women to become independent decision makers.