The primary purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of substance-using females engaged in chemical dependency treatment programs. A sample of 104 women involved in six treatment programs completed the “Participants' Background Information Survey” developed by the researchers and the “Revised Beck Depression Inventory” (Beck & Steer, 1993). The findings of this study indicate that female substance users in treatment face multiple challenges in addition to those associated with efficacious treatment outcomes, including parenting, assuming head-of-household roles and responsibilities, and physical and/or mental health issues. Implications of this study include the need for chemical dependency programs to develop collaborative relationships with other community agencies: vocational rehabilitation, children's services, early intervention, and mental health. Suggestions for prevention and intervention are discussed, as well as areas of further research.
