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What It’s Like to Be an Alcoholic Woman

Before the turn of the century, alcoholism was generally thought of as a “man’s” problem. Things have changed a great deal since then. For years, researchers have warned that more and more women are drinking. And it’s not just a spike in the number of women abusing alcohol. Today, women are drinking a significantly higher volume of alcohol. Yes, many women can now drink men under the table.

The number of female moderate-to-heavy drinkers has steadily increased over the last decade, while the number of light or social drinkers has quickly dwindled. Oddly enough, as more women pick up the bottle, record numbers of men are reining in their drinking habits. It’s a gender gap that keeps narrowing all the time.

How Alcohol Affects Women vs. Men

After 1 drink on an empty stomach, a woman’s blood alcohol level is high enough to more than double the risk of a fatal car crash. 1 drink—that’s all it takes. Even the Transportation Department has taken note of the rise in female DUIs. 1 “There’s the impression out there that drunk driving is strictly a male issue, and it is certainly not the case,” said Rae Tyson, spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “There are a number of parts of the country where, in fact, the majority of impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes are female.” 2

Women, generally speaking, tap into their emotions more than men and may think and react accordingly. They’re more comfortable sitting in the presence of emotion, which some men may avoid. When the weight of these lingering emotions gets too heavy, however, they may be more likely to seek out a vice… something that will temporarily stifle the pain and fear they feel. It’s the beginning of a vicious circle.

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 much greater risk for problems.3

Emotional Drinking

According to research studies, women are more likely to drink if they have:

  • Family members who are alcohol-dependent.
  • A partner who drinks to excess on a regular basis.
  • An ability to drink more alcohol (in one sitting) than others.
  • A history of clinical depression.
  • A history of physical and/or sexual abuse during childhood. [3]

Victimization

Women who drink to the point of intoxication more than double their chances of becoming a victim of physical violence and sexual assault. In fact, data reveals that half of the sexual assaults reported in the U.S. involve consumption of alcohol by the man, the woman, or both.4

Higher Divorce Rates

Researchers in Norway revealed that spouses who consume equal amounts of alcohol were less likely to divorce than those relationships in which one partner is a heavy drinker and the other is not—especially in cases where the wife is the heavier drinker.5

Let’s Talk About Health

Not only do women face an increased number of personal problems, but 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: 1 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

Getting Older and Drinking

Many alcohol-related ailments affecting older drinkers are mistakenly blown off as “normal” signs of aging. In the end, many of these conditions are often missed by doctors—especially among older female patients. Among older alcoholic women, it’s important to remember:

  • Alcohol can cause depression, sleeping problems, poor eating habits, and frequent falls.
  • Aging reduces the body’s ability to process and excrete alcohol. Despite drinking equal volumes of alcohol, women in their 60s and 70s reach a higher blood alcohol level than women in their 30s and 40s.
  • Alcohol “kicks in” much faster than it did when they were younger.8

Despite the physical and mental challenges, women aren’t doomed to live out their lives as full-blown alcoholics. In fact, older women (and men) respond to treatment just as well as younger people do.

If you’re struggling with alcohol dependency, treatment is available. Don’t cheat yourself out of living a happy and healthy life. Remember, it’s never too late to get sober!

How to Get Help for Alcohol Misuse

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol misuse, it may be time to seek help. Professional alcohol treatment programs can help anyone battling alcohol addiction learn to face life’s challenges without relying on substances. You can contact an admissions navigator with American Addiction Centers free at at any time, day or night, to learn more about alcohol addiction and find treatment centers near you. You can also check your health insurance coverage using the form below or contact free alcohol hotline numbers.

Levels of Care in Alcohol Treatment Programs

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