Helping Women Recover: A Program for Treating Addiction

“Since its first publication in 1998, Stephanie Covington’s Helping Women Recovery has been an invaluable resource in the treatment of women recovering from addiction and trauma. The 2019 update will find appreciative audiences across a broad spectrum of addiction treatment and recovery support arenas. There exists no other resource combining historical insight, rigorous scientific research, clinical treatment, and the lived experiences of women in recovery. This revised edition is filled with step-by-step facilitator instructions, scripts, materials, and delivery tips. Helping Women Recovery is a landmark work that will leave a lasting legacy of transformed lives.“

William L. White
Author, Slaying the Dragon: The History of Addiction Treatment and Recovery in America

“How lucky we are that Stephanie Covington is continuing and updating her pioneering work on women and addiction. A leader in the field for decades, she is a national treasure.”

Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D.
Media Critic, Pioneering Activist, Author

“Helping Women Recover by Dr. Stephanie Covington is another major contribution to the field of women’s addiction treatment. The first part of the book contains vital knowledge for any clinician who works with women. She puts the history of women’s treatment into perspective and then provides information that clearly differentiates the differences between substance abuse treatment of women and of men. I was particularly moved by her definition of addiction in women’s lives as representing the “chronic neglect of self in favor of something or someone else.” The rest of the book provides practical, trauma-informed, and well-grounded activities to benefit the recovery of women in treatment. The experience and wisdom embedded in this text is long overdue."

Sandra L. Bloom, M.D.
Associate Professor, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University

“Helping Women Recover is vital to our work with the chemically dependent female – and there is no one who understands gender-specific work better than Stephanie Covington!”

Claudia Black, Ph.D.
Addiction Specialist, Author of Unspoken Legacy: Addressing the Impact of Trauma and Addiction Within the Family

“With the debut of Helping Women Recover: A Program for Treating Addiction, Stephanie Covington demonstrated her innovative style in an evidence-based program by integrating theories of the psychology of women, trauma, and addiction. This revised edition builds on her internationally-recognized knowledge in the field of women’s issues, addiction, trauma and recovery. It is exciting to see some of the new sessions that have been added. In the relationship module there is a session dedicated to “Exploring Interpersonal Violence” and another new session on “Understanding Your Relationship with Your Father.” The module on sexuality has been enhanced through the introduction of a session on “Healthy Sexuality.” It encourages women in recovery to create a sexual Bill of Rights and learn about the World Association of Sexology (WAS) Declaration of Sexual Rights. The updated resources and citations add additional value to this already useful body of work. For those already using this group therapy program and newcomers to this program, Dr. Covington continues to meet the unique needs of women who are addicted to alcohol and other drugs or have co-occurring disorders. This revised and updated edition includes evidence-based therapeutic interventions for implementing gender-responsive, trauma-informed programs in a variety of settings.”

Colette Anderson, LCSW
Executive Director, The Connecticut Women’s Consortium

“Helping Women Recover provides a holistic woman-cantered treatment programme with social-justice goals that is based on evidenced based knowledge and decades of practical experience. This new version has a thorough introduction to the best recent knowledge on addiction treatment and women and updated programme with new material on trauma and sexuality that we, in the Root look forward to presenting to our women participants. We find that the Covington’s material fits Icelandic women‘s experiences very well and we are happy and looking forward to be able to offer this revised strength-based and empowering programme to our participants.”

Kristín I. Pálsdótti
Spokeswomen for The Root - Association on Women, Addiction and Mental Health in Iceland

Here are some of the responses of women who have completed the Helping Women Recover program.

It was a really great experience. I got to share things that I thought I wouldn’t tell another person.—Yvette S.

Very grateful and beautiful experience. It helped me grow so much. I’ve gained trust, courage and love. I feel free and I feel alive. I’ve learned how to let go of my past, focus on my present to prepare for my future.—Chanthaly

I feel it helped me open up and see a lot of inner feelings I had hidden deep within me. It also showed me that I’m not the only one with bad past experiences and now they don’t seem so bad.—Lisa

Great. I feel like I’ve really learned a lot about myself and my past and that it can’t hold me back if I don’t let it.—Anonymous

I have been able to deal with some issues that held me captive for a very long time. I’m relieved from a lot of stress and I found some peace.—Anonymous

I feel this is a very uplifting experience. I haven’t ever experienced anything like this. This is a great opportunity to learn more about being a woman in recovery. Thank you.—Anonymous

I had an entertaining journey. It made me understand myself better, like where I’m at in my program of N.A. and how I see myself not only on the outside but deep within on the inside. There are things I need to work on but I know I’m going to be okay because I can and will recover. Making recovery a part of my life—one day at time.—Anonymous

My experience has been incredible. I feel whole again. Helping Women Recover helped me so much and it gave me a better understanding of myself.—Z. M.

This program helped me to transfer the changes I am making and experiencing from the hands-on to writing them down so I could look at them on paper, reflect on them and share them with other women.—Amy

My experience with this book and this group has been very painful. It brought a lot of anger and pain, perhaps even grief. But it has been worth it. I’ve never valued myself as a woman. But now I can—truly awesome discovery.—Anonymous

I discovered that I had issues that I need to address that I left behind and wanted to just ignore them, and so I did, because I was in fear of walking through them. It was brought to my attention that I have a grand opportunity to deal with my issues here in a safe place with people to help me. I never looked at it that way.—Joann W.

I’ve had at times a very emotional but eye opening experience with the Helping Women Recover program.—Anonymous

I found it very helpful in my journey of recovery. I also became a lot closer with the other women in my group. I came to believe that I am a kind and beautiful woman. I know now that I have the power of choice.—Londa H.

Although some of the discussions were a little bit uncomfortable for me, it was very helpful and gave me a lot of insight about myself. I enjoyed groups and the homework. I think the book is great and plan to keep it forever.—Anonymous