For many women, the pressure to meet unrealistic beauty standards is not just frustrating but dangerous.
Negative body image is a common but often overlooked trigger for substance abuse, especially when drugs or alcohol are used to control weight, manage anxiety, or escape emotional pain. What happens when the coping method becomes the problem?
At Wasatch Crest Treatment Center, we offer a women-specific addiction recovery program in Park City, Utah. Our skilled therapists and counselors understand the deep connection between self-image and addiction, and we’re here to listen and support.
Why Body Image Matters in Women’s Addiction
The National Eating Disorders Association reports that body dissatisfaction affects 69-84% of women in the U.S. at some point in their lives. For some, this dissatisfaction leads to risky actions like:
- Using stimulants to suppress appetite
- Drinking to reduce social anxiety linked to self-consciousness
- Abusing diet pills or laxatives to achieve weight loss
- Avoiding food altogether, paired with substance use
These behaviors can quickly spiral, especially when reinforced by societal norms, media, or past trauma.
The Cycle of Shame and Substance Use
When substance use begins as a way to cope with body-related distress, it often creates a damaging cycle:
- Negative self-image leads to substance use.
- Substance use can lead to changes in health and appearance.
- These changes deepen feelings of shame, leading to increased use.
This is a cycle rooted not in vanity but in pain. Breaking it requires addressing both the addiction and the underlying emotional wounds.
How Gender-Specific Treatment Can Help
Body image issues can take a significant emotional toll, especially on women who are also struggling with substance abuse and addiction. A women-specific recovery program – like what’s offered at Wasatch Crest’s Jupiter campus – provides many benefits, including:
- A safe space to explore self-worth and identity
- Trauma-informed therapy to address past pain
- Adventure therapy and holistic wellness in a beautiful mountain setting
- Clinically grounded treatment with a compassionate, mission-driven team
Reclaim Your Worth
With the right support, it’s possible to heal your relationship with your body and break free from addiction.
If you’re ready to get started on the path toward recovery, reach out to Wasatch Crest Treatment Center. Call us at 800-385-3507 or send us a message.
