Women’s Health and Addiction - The Hidden Barriers We Must Address

In this episode of Breaking the Stigma, we focus on women’s health and the unique challenges faced by women affected by substance use, trauma and involvement in the justice system.Hosted by Barbara from the ADP Support Team, this episode features Vicki, Community Justice Partnership Manager for Dumfries and Galloway, and Michelle, Recovery Worker with With You in Dumfries and Galloway.Together, they explore the barriers women face when trying to access health services, including stigma, trauma, inequality in service provision, and the impact of complex life experiences such as domestic abuse, mental health challenges and motherhood.The conversation highlights gaps in areas such as reproductive health, menopause support, and dual diagnosis, while also exploring how services can better listen to and act on lived experience. The importance of safe, women-only spaces, peer support, and building trust is a key theme throughout.This episode also looks at how services must move beyond being trauma-informed to becoming gender-informed, recognising that women’s experiences are different and require a more tailored, compassionate approach.Whether you are a woman affected by drugs or alcohol, supporting someone who is, or working within services, this episode offers insight, understanding and a call to action for change.Because to truly support women, we must first understand their experiences.For more information and support, visit dgadp.co.uk.We are With YOU: Phone  0800 035 0793 Email: [email protected] Community Justice Partnership: https://www.dgppp.org.uk/about-partnership-and-strategic-partnerships/key-strategic-partnerships/community-justiceProduced by Your Fairy Podmother®️www.fairypodmother.co.uk