Why She Drinks: Women and Alcohol Abuse

Some of this increase may reflect a greater comfort on the part of women to discuss their drinking. When Gillian Tietz began drinking in graduate school, she found https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/women-and-alcoholism-how-to-recognize-an-addiction/ a glass of wine helped ease her stress. But as soon as the glass emptied, her concerns worsened. Within a year, she began drinking daily and couldn’t sleep.

There have been a lot of jokes and memes about pandemic drinking by women, but the fact is that in the past two decades, women have often turned to alcohol more than they did in the past. Furthermore, young women are particularly vulnerable to some of these forms of trauma. They are more likely than men to have experienced sexual trauma.

Alcoholism in Women is on the Rise: What You Need to Know

Education and awareness programs can provide valuable tools for helping women reduce their risk of developing an alcohol problem. From serious physical health issues to debilitating mental health issues, women are suffering from alcohol abuse more than ever. Alcohol poses various health risks to women and alcoholism only exacerbates this situation. If you or any woman you know is an alcoholic, help them get alcohol addiction treatment.

• Someone who has built up their tolerance will need to drink more and more in order to feel the effects of alcohol.
• Large fluctuations in hormonal levels can cause the body to go haywire.
• We have to address the reality of excessive alcohol consumption by women, and more women need to speak out about it — and seek help.
• But as soon as the glass emptied, her concerns worsened.

If they don’t, they may feel empty, anxious, depressed, hollow, or down. You may notice that someone struggling with an alcohol addiction will make excuses to celebrate every time you’re with them. If you can relate to any of the above, there’s a good chance that you have a problem. It would be difficult not to notice these signs of alcoholism in a woman you’re close to. An addicted woman may spend most of her time managing her problem with alcohol.

How Alcohol Abuse Affects Women’s Health

Psychotherapy, self-help groups, and medications are all
available to help women stop or reduce their drinking. For a long time, professionals believed that women with substance abuse problems were less likely than men to recover from them. Yet limited evidence on the matter was available, because many studies on the outcome of substance abuse treatment conducted before the 1990s enrolled only men. The few studies that enrolled both men and women did not examine the impact of gender differences. Although the gender gap in alcohol consumption is narrowing among all ages, the reasons differ.

Those who are pregnant should abstain from all alcoholic beverages. Additionally, women face challenges when it comes to preventing alcoholism in the first place. Women are often more vulnerable than men to peer pressure and advertisements that encourage drinking. Furthermore, women may feel pressured by society to drink in order to fit in or be seen as more attractive or desirable. Women need access to resources that can help them learn how to set healthy boundaries with friends and family and make decisions about alcohol consumption that are right for them.

Excessive Alcohol Use is a Risk to Women’s Health

However, recent research shows that ratio is closer to 1-to-1 globally. And US data shows that rates of alcohol abuse in women have reached the same levels as men. One study that looked at alcohol’s effects on college students early in the pandemic found increased alcohol use among those who reported higher levels of stress and anxiety. And several studies found women were more likely to report rises in drinking during the pandemic, especially if they experienced increased stress. Research shows women suffer health consequences of alcohol — liver disease, heart disease and cancer — more quickly than men and even with lower levels of consumption. Fortunately, there are now many different alcohol addiction treatment plans that help ease cravings.

Victoria Cooper thought her drinking habits in college were just like everyone else’s. Sure, she got more refills than some and missed classes while nursing hangovers, but she couldn’t have a problem, she thought. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences.

Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse

The first step in getting help is to recognize the hidden risks of alcohol use for women. «From less years of alcohol use, women are getting sicker faster,» says Sugarman, of McLean Hospital. Many women will continue getting behind the wheel after drinking or two. For example, if she has to pick up her child from school, she may see being a little bit drunk and driving as a lesser evil than not picking up her child at all. Unfortunately, she may not be able to gauge how drunk she actually is. If you’ve ever found yourself in a dangerous situation because of drinking, you might have a problem with alcohol.

It is essential that women who are struggling with alcohol abuse or any other substance abuse disorder receive specialized care tailored to their specific needs. Alcoholism in women is increasing as a growing number of young women turn to alcohol to cope with mental health issues. As rates of anxiety and depression rise among young adult women, alcohol misuse is also going up—along with related health risks. Not only are women less able to tolerate the effects of alcohol than men, they are also less likely to seek specific help to overcome any drinking problems they develop. Men who abuse alcohol are more likely to enter alcohol-treatment programs, whereas women are more inclined to seek help from primary care practitioners and mental health counselors. The effects of alcoholism will include impaired judgment.

Studies show that social connections and support groups are fundamental to recovery. News, the serious health consequences of alcoholism in women was discussed. The article recounted a woman’s experience with alcoholism and the negative health effects at a surprisingly early age. Many of these issues that develop earlier on women’s drinking are health-related and quite serious.

• When Gillian Tietz began drinking in graduate school, she found a glass of wine helped ease her stress.
• These trends are disturbing, given that binge drinking not only carries health risks for both men and women but also increases the chance of unwanted and unplanned sexual activity.
• Reaching out to an addiction treatment specialist can shed light on your options and the best course of action to take.
• According to research, women who drink excessive amounts of alcohol are at a higher risk for developing certain serious diseases and conditions.
• They may not menstruate anymore or may fall into early menopause.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that annually there are about 27,000 alcohol-related deaths amongst women and girls. What’s more, the rate of alcohol abuse in women is increasing more than in any other group. The number of women suffering from alcoholism has steadily increased in the past decade. The risk factors for alcohol addiction among women include increased stress, poverty, lack of education, genetic factors, and depression. Women are also more prone to suffering from liver diseases, heart complication and shrinking of the brain.

Self-Medicating Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

It’s essential to know the signs of alcoholism in women if you suspect someone you love is in trouble. There are an estimated 15 million alcoholics or alcohol abusers in the US. As mentioned, much of the research into alcoholism to date has looked at males and alcohol abuse. And while there is new research into treatment for women with alcoholism, more needs to be studied in order to provide the most effective treatment for women with alcohol abuse issues. With today’s obsession with “clean” eating and “nontoxic” foods, it’s startling that so many are fine with pouring ethanol — a literal toxic substance — into their bodies regularly.

• I’m thankful I got the courage to face my alcohol dependence.
• The former ABC News anchor Elizabeth Vargas published a memoir about her addiction.
• But the pattern of increased alcohol abuse by women appears to have preceded the pandemic.
• While many are able to drink responsibly, alcohol use does pose unique risks to all women.