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With a grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Advocates clinicians at the Ayer-Concord Drug Court recently implemented a new gender-responsive and trauma-informed approach to addiction treatment based on the Helping Women Recover and Helping Men Recover curricula.
Research shows that 50-60% of women and 20% of men in chemical dependency programs report a history of childhood sexual abuse, closely linking trauma and addiction. Trauma-Informed Care approaches the behavioral health needs of Drug Court participants through cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness, and psychosocial development.
The trauma-informed treatment curricula have been well-received by participants. One man reports, "I've been involved in many self-help meetings and groups throughout the years, but never touched on the real things that men need to be aware of, which [are] our feelings and how we deal with them on a day-to-day basis. Talking about [feelings] in a structured group is very enlightening."
For more information about the Ayer-Concord Drug Court, please contact:
Hilary Curtis, Ph.D., Program Director
Angela Dorman, LICSW, Clinical Director