Open Door Retreat

According to research on women’s addiction done by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, women get addicted to alcohol and drugs more as compared to men. Not only this, in comparatively less time they develop substance related diseases such as brain damage, cirrhosis, hypertension, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

Women who drink moderately or are heavy drinkers are more prone to breast cancer and adolescents girls who get into smoking also risk having breast cancer. For older women continuous alcohol drinking results in memory loss and deterioration of the mental condition as compared to older men. The risk of heart disease among women using oral contraceptives is also more. As per study 32 million women are into smoking cigarettes and about six million are into alcohol abuse.

Reasons Why Women Become Addicted Faster than Men

• Prime reason why women become addicted sooner then men is their body composition. Bodies of women contain more fat tissues and less water due to which the activity of ADH enzyme that plays a role in breaking down alcohol slows down. This slowing down of ADH enzyme action makes the effect of one drink as strong as two drinks for women.

• Also, it has been observed that women are more likely to get into drugs and alcohol addiction as they are the ones who get into depression more than men. A woman has to play many roles at home and has also has to prove herself at work. Home chores can be tiring and at times no appreciation makes her feel unwanted and depressed.

• Furthermore, since women use sedatives and other anti-anxiety drugs more than men, the probability of their becoming addicted is twice as compared to men.

• The likelihood of a woman been sexually abused in young age is more than men. Trauma is also one key reason why women get into drugs which becomes an addiction later. Other reasons of women resorting to substance abuse are unsuccessful relationships, miscarriage, death of a loved one, problems at work or home.

Women’s Addiction Recovery

Since women become dependent on drugs and alcohol even at lower levels of use, it soon takes the form of addiction. Regardless of the reason of women’s addiction, addiction recovery is critical for the addict to learn to live a healthy, happy and more fulfilling life. Women often avoid recovery programs due to the social stigma attached to it. But it is each woman’s responsibility to herself and her family to take action to happy, fulfilling life free of addiction.