ABSTRACT
The use of various substances of abuse is related to significant harm among women, as demonstrated in the previous chapters of this text. Therefore, it is obvious that the use of substances of abuse should be prevented, or, at least, minimized whenever possible. Real benefit may be achieved with appropriate intervention. For example, a national meta-analytic study of treatment techniques indicated a significant decrease in substance use, which was maintained for five years following treatment. In addition, and of particular significance for women, the study also found that treatment for substance use disorders resulted in: 1) 30% decrease in loss of child custody; 2) 40% decrease in time spent living on the street; and 3) 43% decrease in suicide attempts (National, 1998).1
