Women's Recovery Center

Founded in 1986 as the Women’s Center of Greater Cleveland with a small office, a few programs, and a bold vision. Today, Women’s Center is now the Women's Recovery Center. With more than 25 years of providing alcohol and other drug treatment services for women and their families, the Board of Directors elected to change the name to match the organizational mission.

The Name Change…

For many years the Founders of the Women’s Recovery Center wanted to protect the anonymity of women that were seeking alcohol and other drug treatment. In recognizing the shame and seclusion that women experience with their addiction, it became apparent that the organizational name contributed and reinforced the secretive nature and shameful aspects of the disease.

Physical

Since the 1950’s, the American Medical Association has viewed addiction as a chronic disease in which your body becomes dependent on alcohol and other drugs. With the higher proportion of fat cells, women metabolize alcohol and other drugs differently and the physiological impact of addiction is much more significantly impacting women’s health. It is estimated according to the National Institute of Drug Addiction that more than 6.5 million American women are in need of treatment services. According to the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County more than 18,000 are in need of treatment services in this County.

Each year 200,000 women die from complications of addiction that is four times the number of deaths from breast cancer.

Why…

More than 90% of the women that are engaged in alcohol and other drug treatment services reveal a history of traumatizing events including victim of childhood molestation, witnessing violence, experiencing a sexual assault, etc. Often women are having difficulty dealing with those memories. Perhaps they are hypersensitive to loud noises, or having those memories invading daytime tasks or repeated nightmares. Alcohol and other drug use is a way to self-medicate in order to feel normal and to be able to take of the children and to work. The addiction begins spiral as it requires more and more in order to feel normal and capable. Often, however, women are suffering in silence not admitting the pain or the increasing addiction to anyone out of a sense of shame. If you or a loved one may be experiencing some issues with addition, there is a quiz that may be of assistance to you.

Treatment…

Treatment is available and recovery is possible. At the Women’s Recovery Center, treatment services are viewed as individual needs. The treatment is available with morning, afternoon and evening hours. The treatment curriculum provides education, group and individual therapy and case management. Within the last year, art therapy has been incorporated to encourage clients to express themselves using different mediums.

The Women’s Recovery Center provides treatment services for all women regardless of their ability to pay for those services based on a sliding fee scale to zero.

Culture…

Just as women experience shame and secrecy with their addiction, the media and public reinforce these attitudes. As we witnessed Amy Winehouse’s public struggle with her addiction and multiple attempts at rehabilitation, she was ridiculed in the press. On the other hand, Charlie Sheen’s very public spiraling addiction, arrests for domestic violence and vandalism and firing from a top rated CBS television show. The result for Charlie Sheen included a national tour.

Recognition…

The Women's Recovery Center was recognized by the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Cuyahoga County as the Adult Drug and Alcohol Treatment Facility of the Year in Cuyahoga County and presented the John F. Lewis Award as an Outstanding Outpatient Treatment Facility.

To learn more about the Women's Recovery Center programs
or to volunteer, please call: 216.651.1450