Treatment issues for alcohol- and drug-dependent pregnant and parenting women.

Research suggests that programs that provide coordinated, comprehensive, and family-centered care are better at attracting pregnant and parenting substance-abusing women into treatment and provide more effective treatment. This article examines the history of substance abuse treatment for women; identifies barriers to treatment access; and explores the socioeconomic, clinical, and systemic issues in the treatment of alcohol- and drug-dependent women. Special attention is given to the effects of substance abuse on women's relationship as daughters, partners, and parents and to its role in violence against women.