Do women get addicted faster than men? Many people ask this question, and anecdotal information supports the idea. In fact, it’s true. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that women become intoxicated and dependent on alcohol more quickly and at lower rates of consumption than men. There are many reasons for this, both physical and psychological. Women’s vulnerability to addiction and addiction-related health consequences is a good reason to consider women’s alcohol treatment in NC for a loved one you are concerned about. The professionals at Insight Recovery Center are here to help.
Why do women get addicted to alcohol faster than men?
For many years, the majority of the data about alcohol addiction was based on studies involving men. Recently, scientific inquiry into addiction among women has uncovered some critical differences.
Women have problems with alcohol misuse earlier and at lower amounts than their male counterparts. Some reasons for this are biological:
- A woman’s average body weight is lower than that of a man.
- Women have a lower concentration of body water, leading to higher alcohol concentrations after consuming the same amount as a man of equal weight.
- Women produce less of a liver enzyme that helps break down alcohol.
Their different biology is also why females typically feel the effects of alcohol more quickly than males. These aren’t the only differences in the experience of alcohol misuse and addiction among women.
Psychological factors in women’s misuse of alcohol
Combined with their increased physical susceptibility to intoxication and addiction, women tend to drink for different reasons than men. Women are much more likely to self-medicate with alcohol than their male counterparts.
Why do women self-medicate?
- Mental health symptoms of depression or anxiety can be muted temporarily by alcohol.
- A history of trauma, such as domestic abuse or sexual assault, can leave women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even without a diagnosis of PTSD, traumatic experiences leave a lasting imprint and often lead women to drink to excess.
- High levels of stress lead women to turn to alcohol. For example, in many cases, both single and married mothers do the majority of the childrearing and carry most of the mental load, often while holding down a job.
The differences in alcohol misuse between men and women don’t end here. The long-term consequences are often more severe for women than men.
How alcohol addiction damages women’s health and physical well-being
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports on the increased risks women face if they suffer from alcohol addiction. Some of the negative health effects include:
Breast cancer
The risks of developing breast cancer are much higher among women who drink.
Liver disease
Liver damage develops in women at higher rates than in men. This includes alcohol-related hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis.
Cardiovascular disease
Women are more vulnerable to alcohol induced issues such as heart attack, vascular blockage, and stroke.
Brain damage
Alcohol addiction leads more quickly to brain damage in women than in men. This includes memory loss in women of all ages and slowed brain development among teens.
Assault
Men are more likely to sexually assault an intoxicated woman whereas intoxicated men aren’t nearly as likely to be raped.
Death
Death related to alcohol among women is 50 to 100% higher than among men, including suicide, accidents, heart attacks, and strokes.
If you are concerned about your wife, mother, daughter, or other family member, help is available to support her in recovery.
Alcohol addiction treatment for women
The fact that women do better in gender-specific addiction treatment relates both to the reasons women drink and how women feel safe when processing past or ongoing trauma.
In women’s rehab, women:
- Can be vulnerable in a safe setting, especially when their trauma was at the hands of men
- Are likely to respond to the inherently more nurturing and supportive environment that develops among women
- Will learn about their specific biological susceptibility, including why females typically feel the effects of alcohol more quickly than males
People have many questions about female alcoholism. First, it might be, “Do women get drunk more quickly than men?” Curiosity about whether men and women have different experiences with alcohol misuse often leads to further inquiry. “What are the risks of alcohol addiction for women?” and “Do women drink for different reasons than men?” The understanding of women and addiction is still expanding, with more research and new treatment techniques emerging every year.
Call Insight Recovery Center today women’s alcohol treatment in NC
In our women’s rehab, we offer trauma-informed, evidence-based therapies. You will have access to dual diagnosis treatment if you have co-occurring disorders, and numerous healing modalities such as acupuncture and meditation therapy. Immersing in the experience of intensive addiction treatment in a nurturing, safe, gender-specific environment can improve your long-term outcomes and give you the best chance for a lasting recovery.
Call 828.826.1376 today or submit our online contact form. We are waiting to hear from you.