As an example of Substance Use Disorder (SUD), chapter 8 of Feminist Perspectives on Social Work Practice contains the case of a girl named Natalie. After identifying all the problems and difficulties in a girl’s life, such as overwork and housekeeping and mistrust of her husband, the author describes her first experience with OxyContin. The girl learns about this drug after being in a car accident, and the doctor prescribes it for treatment. She notices that the drug helps her alleviate the difficulties of everyday life and becomes dependent on it.
The authors pay considerable attention to the features of the female body in the case of SUD. It is essential to pay attention to hormones, menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause (Butler-Moloro & Grant, 2018, p. 178). Moreover, it is vital to consider the age, sexual orientation, and class of women. The chapter focuses on finding common features of SUD in women. Some studies have found common SUD traits among women. For example, “Latina women with higher rates of discrimination were more likely to have alcohol use disorders” (p. 180). It allows a better understanding of the cases of SUD.
Natalie’s example indicates the topic of Shame and Stigma of Substance Use Disorder. The problems described in the chapter show that shame and stigma are significant reasons why girls experience SUD. Both from personal and social perspectives, these problems cause severe psychological disorders in girls. Findings from the studies described above and features of the female organism should become essential factors in social work practice with children and adolescents. It is important to note that by taking these factors into account, one can understand the child’s psychological state, even if he refuses to say anything. On the other hand, this knowledge will help with social work practice with young girls, as it determines the features of the female body depending on age, sexual orientation, and much more.
Reference
Butler-Mokoro, S., & Grant, L. (2018). Feminist perspectives on social work practice: The intersecting lives of women in the twenty-first century. Oxford University Press, pp. 177-187.