This class gave me much insight into the world of addiction and how addiction specifically affects woman of all backgrounds. The topic discussed in class that impacted me the most was the issues surrounding pregnant addicted woman. I was appalled when I read the Gallagher article about women who were dragged to jail immediately following the birth of their child even one woman “arrived at the jail still bleeding from the delivery; she was told to sit on a towel” (Gallagher, 343). I believe there is an incredible contradiction in the stance of people who are so worried about the protection of the fetus but lack a basic standard in the care of the pregnant woman. Not only that, but once the fetus is born he or she may be completely neglected in the system. There is a strong notion for “fetal rights” but not a strong notion for “baby rights” which I think is such a problem.
This class also broadened my horizons of what addiction looked like and how problematic our treatment of addicted women is. The patriarchal system of diagnosing and treating is still in full force. It was a breath of fresh air to hear about some of the feminist approaches that are happening when it comes to treatment. In the Berenson article they critiqued the 12-step plan of AA stating “they are particularly concerned about the Twelve Steps’ emphasis upon powerlessness as liberating” (Berenson, 78). A feminist 12-step plan was created addressing the issues of powerlessness. In the explanation for the first step it explains “For men, admitting powerlessness indicates their readiness for God to move in and save them (see Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey, about men who are brought low in order to realize salvation) Women, says Campbell, take the opposite journey; they need to stand up, affirm their will and empower themselves” (Unterberger, 1). I never realized what it really looked like to admit your powerlessness as a woman. I am a Christian and I never saw the problems associated with the 12-step plan and incorporating God in the picture but after reading the feminist 12 steps it really clicked. I have learned so much in class this quarter and know I am more informed and transformed in my understanding of women and addiction and the problems still happening today.
This class also broadened my horizons of what addiction looked like and how problematic our treatment of addicted women is. The patriarchal system of diagnosing and treating is still in full force. It was a breath of fresh air to hear about some of the feminist approaches that are happening when it comes to treatment. In the Berenson article they critiqued the 12-step plan of AA stating “they are particularly concerned about the Twelve Steps’ emphasis upon powerlessness as liberating” (Berenson, 78). A feminist 12-step plan was created addressing the issues of powerlessness. In the explanation for the first step it explains “For men, admitting powerlessness indicates their readiness for God to move in and save them (see Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey, about men who are brought low in order to realize salvation) Women, says Campbell, take the opposite journey; they need to stand up, affirm their will and empower themselves” (Unterberger, 1). I never realized what it really looked like to admit your powerlessness as a woman. I am a Christian and I never saw the problems associated with the 12-step plan and incorporating God in the picture but after reading the feminist 12 steps it really clicked. I have learned so much in class this quarter and know I am more informed and transformed in my understanding of women and addiction and the problems still happening today.
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