Call us today 866-836-8125
By Staff Writer
A lot of people drink, but not everyone experiences the effects of alcohol in the same way. Once considered a “man’s disease,” women are now catching up to men in the consumption of alcohol – and they are paying a high price.
A Host of Health Risks
Every year an estimated 21,000 American women die of illnesses and injuries brought on by drinking. Alcohol affects the female mind and body in more destructive ways than males. Women get drunk faster, become addicted faster, feel the effects of alcohol longer, and develop alcohol-related diseases sooner than men.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women develop hypertension, anemia, and malnutrition much quicker than alcoholic men in the late stages of the disease. They also develop alcoholic liver disease more quickly than men and are more likely to develop alcoholic hepatitis (liver inflammation) and cirrhosis.
Alcohol also poses a serious threat to the female brain. Studies have shown that women who drink heavily suffer from brain “shrinkage,” dementia, and memory loss to a greater degree than men. Women are also more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors and find themselves in compromising social situations or victims of sexual assault as a result of their alcohol abuse.
Alcohol and Depression
According to a study from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, women alcoholics are twice as likely as non-alcoholic women to be depressed and almost four times likelier than male alcoholics to be depressed. Though it is well-known that depression and alcohol problems often go together, a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that in men alcohol use preceded the depression, whereas in women the depression precedes the alcohol use. In either case, alcohol is a depressant and is likely to make any existing emotional or psychological issues worse.
Alcohol Dangerous Even in Moderation
An occasional drink is a treat many women indulge in a few evenings each week to relax and unwind. But recent research questions the wisdom of even moderate drinking.
Women alcoholics are more likely to develop heart disease and cancer than alcoholic men. Studies suggest that women who drink heavily increase their risk of heart disease by as much as 57 percent, and even moderate alcohol consumption (as little as one alcoholic beverage a day, whether beer, wine, or hard liquor) can significantly increase a woman’s chances of developing breast, liver, rectal, or esophageal cancer. The risks are even greater when a woman combines alcohol and tobacco.
Although the American Heart Association recommends that women drink only in moderation, which means no more than one alcoholic beverage a day, experts are beginning to advise that women cut down even further. While some research suggests that moderate alcohol intake can improve cholesterol and reduce the risk of blood clots, experts recommend controlling these risks with diet and exercise rather than alcohol, which carries a host of other dangers.
“From the standpoint of cancer risk, the message of this report could not be clearer,” wrote the authors of an editorial accompanying the cancer study. “There is no level of alcohol consumption that can be considered safe.”
Warning Signs of Problem Drinking
When alcohol negatively impacts any part of your life – your relationships, your school or work, your finances, or any other area – it may be time to seek help. Alcoholism is a disease that worsens over time, destroying your emotional and physical health as well as the lives of your family members, and does not go away without treatment.
Symptoms of alcoholism vary depending on the person involved, but the following are common indicators of a problem:
In the late stages of alcoholism, another symptom may be severe withdrawal if the individual’s body is no longer exposed to alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from the moderate, such as shakiness, depression, fatigue, and irritability to the more severe, including delusions, blackouts, fever, and convulsions.
Treatment for Alcoholism
Because alcoholism manifests in different ways and for different reasons in men and women, most substance abuse treatment programs treat men and women separately and create a treatment plan tailored to the individual’s specific needs and background.
In most cases, treatment begins with detox to rid the body of alcohol and then progresses to counseling, medications, and other interventions. Whether you choose an outpatient or residential alcoholism treatment program, the goal is to face emotional issues that led to problem drinking and learn new coping skills to prevent relapse.
Although some treatment programs last just a few weeks, research shows the best outcomes are achieved when the individual engages in long-term alcoholism treatment. Do your research and seek input from a trusted health care professional when choosing the best alcohol abuse treatment program for your needs, and commit yourself fully to the recovery effort. Once you seek help, the hardest part is over, and you’ll finally be free to reclaim your life.
