Dr. Stephanie Covington (Institute for Relational Development and the Center for Gender and Justice) explains the importance of gender-specific content and trauma treatment in substance abuse and mental health programs for women. Compared with men, female addicts carry more shame about substance abuse disorders, have higher rates of physical and sexual abuse, and are at greater risk of experiencing interpersonal violence. Trauma-informed services for women are effective because they take past trauma into account, avoid triggering trauma reactions, and adjust service delivery to ensure trauma survivors can access and benefit from treatment.