In 2006 Mary's House finally became a reality. The need for a women's treatment center for addiction and recovery is dervied from consensus amoung qualified addiction professionals that the special needs of treatment differ than those of men. These different issues, such as fear of men from prior toxic relationships and a background of inferiority create a tendancy to remain quiet and secretive around men. There is also the obvious issue of men and women forming relationships while early in treatment. These relationships hinder or even abate the recovery process and have always been forbidden at CLM. Women face different barriers for entering treatment than do men.

Throughout American history, society and traditional family structures have contributed to women’s roles being central to the stability and “nurturing” of the immediate family, and often of the extended family of parents and in-laws and close friends. And whereas drinking a couple of beers with his buddies makes a guy “manly,” an alcohol or chemical abuse problem makes a woman shameful and suspect, and her family, the object of pity and scorn. Women are more likely than men to lack social and family support for going into treatment. Because alcoholism is also a family disease, and however dysfunctional the family may be, the roles of mother and wife are seen as essential in meeting the needs of the others, and everyone’s denial remains a powerful barricade to treatment.

Many drug-using women do not seek treatment because they are afraid: They fear not being able to take care of or keep their children, they fear reprisal from their spouses or boyfriends, and they fear punishment from authorities in the community. Many women report that their drug-using male sex partners initiated them into drug abuse. In addition, research indicates that drug-dependent women have great difficulty abstaining from drugs, when the lifestyle of their male partner is one that supports drug use.

Research indicates that up to 70 percent of drug abusing women report histories of physical and sexual abuse. Data also indicate that women are far more likely than men to report a parental history of alcohol and drug abuse. Often, women who use drugs have low self-esteem and little self-confidence and may feel powerless. In addition, minority women may face additional cultural and language barriers that can affect or hinder their treatment and recovery.

 Denny Smith and the Board of Directors have always vowed to include women and to offer equal treatment, respect, and halfway house aftercare options. Mary's house operates as its own separate treatment center complete with its own staff, supplies and facilities. Understanding that treatment needs for women are different than for men, this program has been custom designed to meet the needs of women only.

Anise Terry, (Certified Substance Abuse Counselor) works individually with each female student over the course of treatment. Her experience and committment to the female students and their needs has proven to work miracles in lives as women turn towards God's Will and Protection.

The women also have a separate work schedule and thrift store where they spend four hours each weekday. On weekends the female students are encouraged to begin rebuilding communication and relationships with family. Family counseling groups take place every Saturday before visitation, and Sunday Worship is open to all who will come.

Former Addict from Western NC Offers Recovery Testimony

I'm writing to thank you for all you and Christian Love Ministries did for me back in the winter of 2002-03. I've been sober now for six years and have always meant to write and give back, but never did. I'm working as a nurse now and am happily married. I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and am an active member of AA out here.

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