Women's Substance Abuse Treatment in Wyoming

Research illustrates that substance abuse affects women differently than men. The medical, physical, social and psychological impact of substance abuse on women, children and families, is particularly acute. Wyoming has six state-funded women’s specific treatment programs. Two are intensive outpatient programs (WIOP) located at Pathfinder in Cheyenne and at Curran-Seeley Foundation’s WIOP in Jackson. The Substance Abuse Division also funds gender-related therapeutic communities (inpatient treatment) for women at Central Wyoming Counseling in Casper, Southwest Counseling Center in Rock Springs, Peak Wellness Center in Cheyenne, and at WYSTAR in Sheridan.

The Wyoming Department of Health, Substance Abuse Division intends to build upon existing treatment programs and work towards implementing more specialized, evidence-based programs for women suffering from substance abuse. Providing for a gender-specific continuum of care across the state will reduce the barriers such as access, childcare, and housing among other things to enable substance-abusing women to foster a sober lifestyle. Gender-specific treatment models have proven a high degree of success due to the research-based strategies and attention given to women’s needs in treatment and the need of children of mothers in treatment.

The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SAPT) requires that the State expend at least 5 percent of these federal funds to increase the availability of treatment services designed for pregnant women and women with dependent children. The Substance Abuse Division plans to develop on the existing system with new funding streams geared towards women-specific treatment programs.