Disparities in Substance Abuse Treatment Utilization Among Women with Intellectual Disability

Despite concerns about health disparities among women with intellectual disabilities, little is known about substance abuse treatment access in this population. Using standardized performance measures, treatment initiation and engagement were examined retrospectively for women aged 18 to 64 (N = 3,752), men with (N = 5,732) and women without intellectual disability (N = 493,446). Logistic regression models of utilization were conducted. Women in the sample were less likely than men in the sample or women without intellectual disability to utilize treatment, suggesting both gender-related and disability-related barriers. Policy and practice implications for improving the health and welfare of women with intellectual disabilities are discussed.