Treatment barriers among individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health problems: Examining gender differences

Background: Despite the narrowing gender gap in the prevalence of substance use disorders, women continue to be vastly underrepresented in substance use services. Relational factors, family responsibilities, mental health, and stigma may present unique barriers encountered by women.

Aims: The aims of this study were to examine: (1) gender differences in substance use treatment barriers, (2) gender differences in perceptions of stigmatization for seeking substance use treatment, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma-related stress, and (3) whether perceived stigmatization and mental health symptoms are associated with greater barriers among women.

Methods: One hundred adults (50% self-identified women) from a substance use and concurrent disorders program in Ontario, Canada, completed a questionnaire package containing measures of sociodemographic information, substance use, mental health, perceived stigma, and substance use treatment barriers.

Results: Women reported more barriers related to family responsibilities, relational factors, and mental health (p < .01), and higher levels of perceived stigma (p < .01) compared to men.

Conclusions: Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of treatment barriers and perceived stigmatization among women. This knowledge may be used to aid in the development and delivery of accessible, gender-responsive services that address these barriers and challenge the stigma attached to substance use among women.