Alcoholism, or addiction to alcohol, is an increasing problem for women. In general, women are more prone to alcoholism compared to men based on their body compositions. Because women tend to weigh less than men and alcohol remains in body water, an average woman can consume the same amount of alcohol as an average man but be impacted more. As a result, female drinkers tend to experience adverse effects and develop alcohol-related addictions more quickly than their male counterparts. Additionally, changing social mores are making it more acceptable, and in many cases actively encouraging, women of all ages to drink. The combination of more women drinking and women drinkers being more impacted by alcohol has created a health epidemic of women and alcoholism that is impacting millions of American families.
On the flip side, women are also more likely to seek treatment for alcoholism than men. It is more socially acceptable for women to be open and honest with their feelings than it is for men, enabling women to express the need for treatment both to themselves and others with fewer reservations. Perhaps unfairly, women also bear a disproportionate share of family responsibilities than men, creating a greater urgency and need for treatment. Women who have discovered that they are pregnant or have young dependent children very frequently cite their desire to protect and support their family as their primary reason for seeking alcoholism treatment.
Women And Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is the consumption of a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time. For women, binge drinking is defined as 4 or more drinks in less than a 2-hour period. Binge drinking is becoming an epidemic in bars and college campuses and is a steadily increasing problem for women. Some of the greatest risks of binge drinking for women include:
- Increased risk of alcohol abuse and alcoholism
- Liver damage
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Poor decision making
- Susceptibility to sexual assault and intimate partner violence
- Reckless and risky behavior
- Legal issues such as drinking and driving
- Poor financial decisions
- Alcohol poisoning
- Death
Medical Risks of Alcoholism for Women
Women can suffer from several unique alcohol-related health risks that do not impact their male counterparts and are more susceptible to several that men do experience.
- Breast Cancer
Women who consume large amounts of alcohol are at an increased risk of breast cancer. A woman has a 9 in 100 lifetime risk of getting breast cancer if she does not drink. A woman who consumes two drinks per day has a 10 in 100 risk of developing breast cancer. A woman who consumes 6 or more drinks a day has a 13 in 100 risk of breast cancer.
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Drinking while pregnant creates a high risk of long-term health risks for the unborn child. This is a serious problem, as 1 in 10 pregnant women drink alcohol and 1 in 50 pregnant women binge drink. Disorders in children caused by mothers who consumed alcohol while pregnant are known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). Some noticeable characteristics of children with FASDs are:
- Smaller-than-average-sized head
- Abnormal facial features
- Poor coordination
- Difficult focusing
- Vision or hearing problems
- Problems with body weight
- Learning disabilities
- Heart conditions
- Hyperactivity
- Poor memory and concentration
- Speech and language impediments
- Lower IQ/ intellectual disabilities
- Problems with vital organs, such as kidneys, the heart, or bones
How to get help
It is difficult when the person you love clearly engages in unhealthy drinking behavior or substance use and refuses to acknowledge it or accept help. When denial happens, it is possible that they don’t see their drinking as problematic. Helping the person understand the consequences of their actions, and what can happen if they don’t get help, can be impactful. Educate yourself on the dangers of problematic alcohol use, as well as treatment and rehab methods, so you can pass this information on to your loved one in a caring and supportive way. Can-Am specializes in addictions treatment and rehabilitation to those who struggle with addiction, such as alcoholism. We are here to help facilitate any treatment required for recovery, as well as be a liaison to the support network, such as family and friends, to provide support and to bring understanding to these complicated types of conditions.
E: patti.pike@canaminterventions.com W:www.canaminterventions.com
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