Women and Alcoholism

Alcoholism among females, from a clinical perspective, is basically the same as alcoholism among males, but there are differences. The experiences are definitely different, but physical effects are also different. Below is an excerpt from DrugAbuse.com:

About 5.3 million women in the United States drink alcohol in a way that’s considered dangerous to their health, safety and well-being. Even in small amounts, alcohol has a much different impact on the female body. In fact, many experts acknowledge that, when compared to their male counterparts, binge and heavy drinking sessions put women at a much higher risk for problems.³

Through the years working in the field of addiction treatment, I’ve seen more and more women entering treatment. Because women are usually more comfortable and articulate expressing emotions, they usually do better in treatment than males. The effects of alcoholism, though, can be harsh with females. Below is from the same article:

Not only do women face an increased number of personal problems, female alcoholics also face some serious health issues. In fact, data has proven that long-term drinking is much more dangerous to the health of women than men.⁶ Specific alcohol-related female health issues include:

• Liver disease: Women are more likely to develop alcoholic hepatitis (liver inflammation) and to die from cirrhosis.

• Brain disease: Research suggests that women are more vulnerable than men to alcohol-induced brain damage.

• Heart disease: Alcoholic women are susceptible to alcohol-related heart disease.

• Breast cancer: One drink per day can increase the risk of breast cancer in some women, especially those who are postmenopausal or have a family history of breast cancer.⁷

Fortunately, we’re seeing females enter treatment at a young age before too much damage has occurred. It’s important for women to know the facts about alcohol and alcoholism. Below is another excerpt from WebMD: