Female offenders differ from male offenders in that they are less likely to have committed violent offenses and often have histories of physical and sexual abuse. Female offenders are mostly young, poor, and undereducated minorities. Gender-specific drug treatment should recognize females' need for and responsiveness to social relationships, take into account gender roles and female socialization, prohibit sexual harassment, support active and interdependent roles for females, and address females' unique treatment issues such as trauma and parenting skills. The theoretical perspectives that provide a foundation for a model of women's treatment are those of addiction, female psychological development, and trauma. An effective treatment program should have a supportive setting that includes safety, connection, and empowerment and should use a psycho-educational model; include group and individual exercises to help women on the affective, cognitive, and behavioral levels; use an asset model; and provide single-gender groups. 5 references