WGEM.com: Quincy News, Weather, Sports, and RadioIllinois women battling drug and alcohol addictions

Illinois women battling drug and alcohol addictions

QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM)--Alarming research out of Illinois shows women receiving state funded drug and alcohol treatment is up 41 percent since 1995.

In the last 15 years the number of women in Illinois seeking substance abuse treatment has surpassed the number of men by almost 50 percent. Which is why social service officials say the face of addiction is changing in the state and it's increasingly a woman's face they're seeing wanting help.

"Even my worst day being sober is nothing compared to when I was high.' said Donna Keith

Keith has battled alcohol and drug addiction her whole adult life.

"I've been to prison three times. I lost my family members, my kids, my life," included Keith.

Now three years sober thanks to help from state funded programs like Quanada and Recovery Resources, Donna says she's not surprised by the large number of women receiving similar treatment throughout the state.

"We're supposed to be a stay at home mom. Take care of the house, take care of the kids while men go out and do their thing because they're a man. We have to be the one to get patronized and cut down, abused. It's like we're not worth anything," added Keith.

Counselor Christy Biswell says it's those types of pressures that lead many women to drugs and alcohol.

"When you start talking to the women about what's going on they're starting to come forward more with the domestic violence and the sexual abuse that have happened. They're able to be treated an work through some of those issues now that it's come to the forefront," said Christy Biswell.

While the up tick in women receiving treatment is high, Donna Keith believes it's a good thing. She's seen the life changing benefits and hopes other women do as well.

"I like myself today. It's not as hard as it was three years ago to start this," said Keith.