Barriers to Substance Abuse Treatment for Women in Barbados: NCSA Study Reveals Stigma and Childcare Challenges
October 17, 2023
A recent study by the National Council on Substance Abuse reveals that women in Barbados with substance abuse issues face barriers to treatment due to stigma, lack of childcare, and fear of losing their children.
Women with substance abuse problems in Barbados are seeking treatment in much smaller numbers than men.
This was among the findings of a just-completed study by the National Council on Substance Abuse entitled Barriers To Substance Abuse Treatment In Barbados: Factors Hindering Women’s Use Of Treatment.
Research and development officer Laura Foster, who presented the result at the NCSA’s headquarters in Belleville, St Michael yesterday, said the main challenges for women included stigma and the lack of child care during required stints at rehab. She added that many women were not prepared or in a position to leave their families to receive treatment, while others harboured fears of having their children being taken away.
The ages of the women not seeking treatment varied from young adults to those in their 40s and 50s. (CLM)
