Women face many obstacles in getting drug and alcohol treatment in Ireland

Drug and alcohol treatment services need to be trauma informed and gender transformative so they can respond to women’s needs, write Dr Gillian Paul and Dr Jo-Hanna Ivers

The Supporting Women to Access Appropriate Treatment (SWAAT) Study found troubling levels of trauma women have endured, such as domestic violence, abuse, parental drug use, poverty, bereavement/ loss and sexual exploitation. File photo: CORBIS

The number of women reporting drug and alcohol use in Ireland is rising steadily. However, we know that women are less likely than men to attend drug and alcohol treatment services. 

The Supporting Women to Access Appropriate Treatment (SWAAT) Study was established to explore why this is the case and to examine the experience of women attending the drug and alcohol services in Ballyfermot and Tallaght, as well as to gain insight from key stakeholders working in the treatment centres.