Gender differences in dually-diagnosed clients receiving chemical dependency treatment

This article considers gender differences among 97 clients with dual diagnoses of severe mental illness and chemical dependency (46 male and 51 female). Comparisons are made at the time of their admission to an inpatient chemical dependency treatment program and at follow-up in cases where data are available. Many of the findings at time of admission are consistent with the few studies that have compared men and women with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. For example, the women were more likely to have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, and they reported being charged with fewer types of crimes. Most differences at admission concerned psychiatric problems and family/social relations. Women reported that they were more bothered by their psychiatric symptoms and their family/social relations, but they also reported more happiness and closeness in some relationships. The women also said they had more relatives with alcohol, drug, and especially psychiatric, problems. At follow-up, gender differences in the family/social and psychiatric domains persisted. Findings suggest that men and women with dual diagnoses might benefit from different emphases in treatment programs.