Women and Alcoholism: Risks & How Women Are Affected

Drinking too much can be even more dangerous for women than men. The first step in getting help is to recognize the hidden risks of alcohol use for women. Make a free, confidential call to a treatment provider today.

• Women also have a greater risk of breast cancer if they drink heavily on a regular basis.
• We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery.
• Much like with other drugs, it’s easy to develop a tolerance to alcohol.

How Alcohol Effects Women

Approach them with love and care, and express your concern for their well-being. Encourage women and alcoholism them to seek help from a medical professional, therapist, or addiction treatment specialist. Studies show that a large percentage of early-onset dementia cases are triggered by AUD or alcohol abuse. More than 33% of the early-onset dementia cases researched were directly linked to alcohol.

Other Serious Diseases

Along with providing a woman-only setting for treatment, women also benefit from wrap-around services like childcare, assertiveness training and family planning. According to further research, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the association between alcohol consumption and breast cancer is believed to be driven by hormones, so alcohol use may be more linked to hormonally sensitive breast cancers. Considering the many documented sex differences, from sex hormones to neurochemistry, it’s not surprising that women and men metabolise alcohol differently. Here are just two of the main factors that contribute to this phenomenon.

Sexual violence

• Physical signs of alcoholism are obvious in one’s facial appearance.
• For example, bisexual individuals nearly doubled the number of lesbians and tripled the number of heterosexuals with alcohol dependence.
• Together, you can work toward a healthier and happier future.
• Several biological factors make women more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol than men.

These interactions could cause the medications to not work properly or make them dangerous heroin addiction or even deadly. It’s kind of like exposure therapy for not drinking for longer periods of time. You’ll get better at navigating spaces without an alcoholic beverage in hand and build up the muscle to deal with the anxiety you have about not drinking. Luckily, these expert tips for people looking to drink less make it a lot simpler. Further research found that women and men may also benefit from managing their ongoing recovery and sobriety differently too. For example, relapse triggers seem to vary between the sexes with women more likely to start drinking again in response to interpersonal conflict, whereas men are more likely to relapse in response to isolation.

Why Do Women Face Higher Risks?

• It all depends on the length of the alcohol abuse, the amount that was consumed, and other factors.
• Unfortunately, she may not be able to gauge how drunk she actually is.
• While not a part of the diagnostic criteria, it is common for people with addiction to run out of luck and get caught drinking and driving.
• Even though women consume less alcohol over their lifetime compared to men, research has found they remain more susceptible to alcohol-related heart disease than men.

Even after paying the fines and fulfilling all legal obligations, the DUI can still follow the convicted individual for some time. Her auto insurance rates may also skyrocket, as she is seen as a liability on the road. She may even get her driver’s license revoked or suspended, depending on the severity of her charge. Alcohol can cause a person to engage in riskier behaviors and activities. They may choose to do things that put themselves or those around them in danger.

Emotional differences in drinking

These studies have also concluded that drinking among both age groups are on the rise. The frequency of alcohol use disorders (AUD) among women has increased by 83.7% between 2002 and 2013. Equally disturbing is the fact that the incidence of liver damage also increased in women between 2000 to 2013. Understanding how alcohol affects women may help them seek out support and limit alcohol misuse before it becomes a bigger issue. Many alcohol rehabs and recovery programs focus on helping women stop drinking while also working through issues related to alcohol misuse like trauma, depression, or sexual abuse. Research shows that alcohol use and misuse among women are increasing.

It’s certainly worth stopping drinking any alcohol as soon as you suspect you are pregnant. Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide.org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges. Please donate today to help us save, support, and change lives. Changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle may also affect how a woman metabolizes alcohol.