Women & Alcohol Abuse: What You Need to Know
/
Movies and television shows in popular culture often depict men as those who primarily deal with drinking problems. However, research and biology show that women are actually at higher risk for alcohol use disorder and may suffer more intensely from the effects of abusing alcohol compared to men. This is what you need to know about women and alcohol abuse.
Magnolia Farm is a women’s sober living home offering a safe, temptation-free environment outside of Charleston, SC to work through the 12-steps. Contact us to learn more.
What is Considered Alcohol Abuse?
Alcohol abuse is now known more formally as alcohol use disorder. It’s a mental disorder classified in the DSM-V, which is used by psychiatrists to diagnose mental illness. This has become a blanket term for a host of alcohol problems, including binge drinking, heavy drinking, and alcoholism.
Binge drinking is defined as having four or more drinks in two hours for women. Heavy drinking or alcohol use problems are seen in those women who drink more than 8 drinks per week.
Women Face High Risks of AUD
It’s important to know that women naturally face higher risks from alcohol use disorder due to biology. Because women have a different body composition and are typically lighter than men, it takes less alcohol to have a more severe effect on them. That said, women are at a higher risk for drinking problems because it takes less alcohol for them to begin to feel its effects, and therefore suffer more intensely from the negative physical impacts of alcohol abuse.
Physical Effects of Alcohol are More Severe
Women experience more severe physical impacts of alcohol more quickly. Even if a man and woman drank the same amount of alcohol, the woman’s blood alcohol content would often be elevated more quickly because of her body weight and body composition. Alcohol is naturally taken up faster by the female body. It also takes much longer for alcohol to work its way through a woman’s system, so women will feel the effects of alcohol for much longer than men.
Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
Over 5.3 million women have an alcohol use disorder. Popular culture may depict men as those who primarily suffer with alcohol use disorders, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Women are just as susceptible—in fact, they are more susceptible as biology proves.
It’s important for individuals and loved ones to be aware of what the symptoms of alcohol abuse are. Symptoms of alcohol abuse can include:
● Drinking in response to stress or emotional struggles
● Drinking in order to experience the feeling of being drunk
● Moving one’s schedule around just to be able to drink
● Losing jobs or friendships due to drinking
● Taking unsafe risks while drinking (i.e. driving)
Long Term Risks
Women and men alike face serious long-term risks when alcohol is used excessively and abused. These long-term risks, in addition to the loss of friendships and risks that are often taken when one is under the influence of alcohol, include:
● Heart disease
● Brain damage
● Liver damage or liver scarring
● Weight loss
● Breast cancer
Find Help at Magnolia Farm
We hope you better understand the challenges and problems associated with women and alcohol abuse. If you or a loved one are experiencing alcohol use disorder, Magnolia Farm can provide a calm, tranquil environment in which to pursue sobriety. Join like-minded women searching for a peaceful, sober life, and work through the 12 Step program surrounded by a supportive community. Our community makes a difference and can be the key to your recovery. Contact us today to learn more.