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Studies show women become addicted more easily than men

While much of the focus in the addiction community skews towards the addictions of men, recent studies have found that women may actually be at a greatest risk for developing a dependence on drugs, alcohol or other substances.

And though men do have higher rates of addiction than women, the gap between the sexes is closing at a rapid rate.  A study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University found that 20 million women are addicted to drugs or alcohol in the United States, and a staggering 30 million have an addiction to nicotine.

With significant numbers like that, the problem of women and addiction is a difficult one to ignore.

Consider the following facts about women and addiction:

• Women become addicted to drugs and alcohol for different reasons than men - and therefore will require different forms of treatment and rehab.
• According to the Columbia study, women become addicted to drug or alcohol twice as easily as men.
• Abuse of prescription painkillers is twice as high for women than men.
• With few programs offering specific programs for women, it is believed that over 90% of all women with a drug or alcohol addiction do not get treatment for their condition.
• Women’s addiction is often tied to deeper psychological issues such as image and self-esteem, making treatment more complex.

Hopefully, continued research on women’s addiction issues will shine a brighter light on the problem, and help pave a way for the millions in the grasp of dependence to get the help they need.