Women drug-users in outpatient treatment: a qualitative study from a gender and community mental health perspective

Abstract

Women drug-users face significant challenges in accessing and adhering to outpatient treatment. However, this issue has been underexplored. The study aims to understand the experiences of a group of women undergoing drug use treatment. Between March and December 2021, a qualitative phenomenological interpretative study was carried out through semi-structured interviews with 16 women attending a drug-dependence care center in Catalonia, Spain. Data were processed through content analysis. The results indicate that, despite perceiving a positive impact of the treatment, women experience vulnerabilities related to stigmatization, lack of social support, and insufficient coverage of specific needs, impacting therapeutic follow-up. The findings emphasize the need to enhance resources for specialized care and promote a social support network where women drug-users actively participate.

Keywords

• Women’s Health
• Substance-Related Disorders
• Community Health Services
• Gender Perspective
• Qualitative Research
• Spain