Women and Addiction

Meeting the Need for Gender-Specific Treatment

“Probably the most impactful aspect of gender-specific programming is that on a spiritual, subconscious level, women with trauma histories feel safer with other women during the early stages of their recovery journey. Clinically, that frees them up to acknowledge the trauma underlying their illnesses and, for the first time in their lives for many of them, they share it with another human being, a loving witness. As a result, a deep, painful secret they have been living with alone for all of these years begins to lose its power.” —Kim Dennis, MD, CEDS, CEO and Medical Director, Timberline Knolls

The escalation in women with substance use disorder (SUD) is startling. This illness is seen primarily in the areas of prescription drugs and alcohol. About 2.7 million American women abuse alcohol or drugs; this translates into one quarter of all abusers, according to the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Today, women are the fastest growing segment of substance abusers in the United States.

Women engage with prescription medication for myriad reasons, primarily for mood alteration and stress reduction. In terms of age, this is an across-the-board phenomenon. Young women, plagued by the pressure to be thin, turn to stimulants such as prescription Adderall to suppress appetite. Working mothers, feeling the need to do it all and do it incredibly well, visit doctors with complaints of sleeplessness, anxiety, extreme fatigue or depression. Even older women, often lonely and bereft, now routinely go to doctors with similar complaints. The end result is that addiction and abuse of tranquilizers and pain killers is rampant. Read More

Join Us for an Exciting Twitter Chat with Eating Disorder Hope

March 26, 2015 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST / 1 p.m. CST

“Eating Disorders and Trauma” with,

Kim Dennis, MD, CEDS, CEO and Medical Director of Timberline Knolls, and
Megan Ross, LPC, R-DMT, GL-CMA, Director of Program Development and Trauma Awareness at Timberline Knolls.

Together they will discusses trauma as an environmental factor that can influence the development and maintenance of an eating disorder. Learn about the variations of trauma and treatment options to move past the pain and live a fulfilling and healthy life. Read More

Eating Disorder Hope Google Hangout with Timberline Knolls

“Treating Young Women with Eating Disorders and Co-occurring Issues” with Margaret Nagib, PsyD, Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center.

April 27, 2015 9 a.m. PST | 11a.m. CST |12p.m. EST

Join us as we discuss co-occurring issues that commonly develop with an eating disorder as well as treatment options for healing and recovery.

About Dr. Nagib
Dr. Nagib is a clinical psychologist specializing in inner healing and treating eating disorders, trauma, addiction, self-injury and mood disorders. For more than 15 years, she has provided individual, family and group therapy.

Today, as a key faculty member of Timberline Knolls Clinical Development Institute, she travels throughout the country providing clinical training and presentations to professionals. Read More

Timberline Knolls is this year’s recipient of the Acadia Corporate Gold Award Safety Certification Program Olympics. The GOLD Standard in delivering exceptional care is: keeping everyone safe; promoting an environment for healing; and being responsible and accountable. We are proud to have such outstanding, mindful, caring and responsible staff members.

Click on your region to learn about conferences and events in your area

In addition to exhibiting at and sponsoring conferences across the country, TK offers its own educational and networking events for mental health professionals.

Dr. Kim Dennis of TK on celebrities and addiction

TK’s Dr. Kim Dennis discusses BED and co-occurring disorders

Partner Maggie Baumann shares her story and “Lift the Shame info”

Eating disorders and the brain, featuring Dr. Kim Dennis of TK

“Sized Up” series with TK’s Dr. Kim Dennis about eating disorders

FOX-TV visits the campus of Timberline Knolls

Roseann Rook of TK discusses eating disorders

“TK really challenged me to look at my behaviors, asked me if they were truly effective and gave me the skills to deal with my emotions in a different way. It’s a long process and the road can be rocky and it’s so worth it. I’m treating myself with respect because I believe I deserve that respect.”
—Janelle S., TK Alum, Arlington Heights, Ill.