RELEASE ON RECEIPT                     





                                          CONTACT:  Katherine Jackson     

              WOMEN'S DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTER OPENS AT U.VA.

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., May 14--A substance treatment program for 
women with alcohol or drug abuse problems has opened at the University of 
Virginia.  Known as U.Va.'s Women's Treatment Center, it includes a 
residential program that specializes in the care of working women who are 
addicted to drugs or alcohol.   
	Women with addiction problems have special treatment needs, 
according to Dr. Dorothy Tompkins, medical director and addictionologist.   
"They often have significant difficultly dealing with guilt, shame, and abuse 
issues and lack of assertiveness. To support those special needs," said 
Tompkins, "the program emphasizes community, mutual support and 
encouragement."
	One of the center's goals is to "empower each patient to identify 
her own strengths," Tompkins said. "In other programs women tend to take a 
second seat to men.  So often, we get so caught up in taking care of others, 
we forget to take care of ourselves.  Our program helps women to be more 
comfortable with who they are by being around women with similar problems."
	The 12-week treatment program consists of partial hospitalization, 
or day treatment, and residential living among participants.  Residential 
living supports the importance of women making friends with women. Day 
treatment activities focus on sobriety maintenance and relapse prevention, 
which are important elements of aftercare planning. Stress management is 
another significant focus in day treatment. Evening treatment in the 
therapeutic community includes self help meetings that follow the principles 
of Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous. 
	Although some women choose to commute rather than reside in the 
community apartments, the meetings are mandatory and an essential element of 
recovery. Participants are involved in organized activities during weekends, 
and family education and counseling sessions are held once a month. 
        The center's staff includes Tompkins, a nurse, a psychologist and an 
occupational therapist.  
	U.Va.'s Women's Treatment Center is located near the Boar's Head Inn, 
off 250 West.  Costs for care is partially covered by most major insurance 
carriers. For more information about the center, call (804) 943-6975.
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                                                                 May 13, 1996