Her road to recovery : an analysis of the experience of female drug dependents

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of women in Malta recovering from substance use disorder (SUD), with a focus on the gendered challenges they encounter. For many, addiction is tied to past trauma, social stigma, and the strain of caregiving roles; difficulties often made worse by traditional cultural expectations. While awareness of the need for more inclusive support is growing, much of the research and treatment available still follows male-focused models, frequently overlooking the complex realities of women’s lives. This research set out to explore how women move through the various stages of addiction, from onset and escalation to recovery, and how their experiences are influenced by social expectations, victimisation, and emotional vulnerabilities. It also considers the impact of gender-responsive and trauma-informed treatment in helping women rebuild their lives, offering insight into what genuinely supports and sustains their recovery journeys. This study adopted a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of women in Malta who had maintained abstinence for a minimum of three years. Using semi-structured interviews, each woman was given a respectful space to share her story. Thematic analysis is utilised to extract recurring patterns, offering deep insight into how gender, trauma, and social context influenced their journeys through addiction and recovery, and the strength behind their sustained change. The findings showed that trauma, including childhood abuse, intimate partner violence, and emotional neglect, was a common thread throughout the women’s lives and played a key role in the onset of substance use. Many shared that drugs became a way to cope, while stigma and fears around losing custody of children were significant barriers to seeking support. Some engaged in sex work as a survival strategy, exposing them to harm and victimisation. The women also described the emotional strain of caregiving, feelings of shame, and absence of services tailored to their needs. Structural gender inequality, evident in male-oriented treatment environments and lack of appropriate care, further limited access to treatment. However, they highlighted the value of gender-responsive care, women-only spaces, and supportive female professionals in recovery. These women recounted experiences of resilience, spirituality, and connection with peers as key sources of strength and healing. These findings highlight the urgent need for addiction services in Malta to embrace trauma-informed, gender-sensitive care. Supporting lasting recovery means rethinking current frameworks to reflect the real-life experiences of women and to ensure access to safe, inclusive, and empowering support. Placing women’s voices at the heart of service design is vital in creating more compassionate and effective systems of care.