80% of women in Cork addiction services also have mental health conditions, study finds

The University College Cork (UCC) study said the women surveyed have used, or are currently using, residential or community services run by Tabor Group in Cork. They also came from a diverse background and that many had completed third-level college and had professional jobs. File picture

Eight out of 10 women attending addiction services in Cork also had mental health conditions, according to a study.

Research found that nearly half of the women reported at least one attempted suicide, while nearly four out of 10 said they had experienced domestic violence.

The University College Cork (UCC) study said the women surveyed came from a diverse background and that many had completed third-level college and had professional jobs.

It highlighted the added difficulties women face accessing addiction services, compared to men, and said women needed to have the option of attending women-only services as well as mixed-gender ones.

"Women have less time and less resources, and suffer greater stigma and [intimate partner violence], and have fewer options," the study said. "The cards are stacked against women."

The research was carried out on a sample of 15 women with substance use disorder, who have used, or are currently using, residential or community services run by Tabor Group in Cork.

The study was conducted by James Windle and Joan Cronin of the Department of Sociology and Criminology at UCC. It found that 80% of those surveyed reported having “one or more co-occurring mental health condition”, the most common one being depression, including post-natal depression, and anxiety.

Three of those 11 women reported post traumatic stress disorder and the same number reported having an eating disorder. 

The report said:

Half reported at least one attempted suicide and three (21%) reported self-harming.

The study found that “around 40% of participants reported intimate partner violence” and that abusive partners were a barrier to recovery. The report said the recovery process can place victims in “risky and vulnerable situations”.

The study recommended that all addiction services should screen people for intimate partner violence and co-operate more closely with services working in this area.

It said the participants ranged from their early 20s to late 50s, with around half being parents and 40% married. “Just under half of participants may be considered middle-class,” the study said.

“Six (40%) reported having completed third-level education and a further four (26%) had entered university during their recovery.” 

It said 40% of the women reported use of alcohol only and all but one said they used alcohol. Cocaine was the second most popular drug, followed by benzodiazepines or anti-anxiety medication.

More services, less cost

The study said the “overwhelming response” of the participants towards addiction services regarding their own recovery was one of “gratitude”.

It said the women pointed less to the need for significant overhauls but for “more services” and “more options”.

The study recommended that there should be a greater number of residential and community-based addiction services and that they be better resourced.

It also called for more linked services, such as domestic violence and mental health services.

The report said the financial costs of residential treatment need to be reduced, as well as associated costs, including transport and childcare.

Services male-dominated

The report examined the gender context of the services, including residential services and also community services, such as AA meetings.

“All identified recovery as a predominantly male space,” the study said. “Some wanted to attend women-only services, others were more comfortable in mixed-gender environments. Most wanted the option of women-only services or spaces.” 

It said the participants found that while women-only meetings in the community were beneficial, they were uncommon and difficult to find.

One woman said: “They are not advertised online. I understand why, it’s a safety thing I’d imagine. So you need to find out by word of mouth, by another woman.” 

The study found that 80% of those surveyed reported having 'one or more co-occurring mental health condition', the most common one being depression, including post-natal depression, and anxiety. File picture

Participants often reported that the likes of AA/NA meetings tend to be “heavily” male-dominated in number.

The report said some of the women described themselves as “flying under the radar” and were functioning.

One participant said: “Our [women’s] drinking styles are different, we are much more behind closed doors, we’re high functioning.” 

Another woman said: “I’ve got an honours degree, I have my own apartment, I have my own car. Everything looks great on the outside.” 

The report said that while there was a fear that children would be taken into care, that “participants’ experience of social work was positive".

• Cormac O’Keeffe is the Irish Examiner security correspondent