What is the relationship between women and alcoholism? Though more men struggle with alcoholism than women, there is still a very real risk for women to develop alcohol use disorder if they binge drink or drink alcohol on a consistent basis. The consequences of this are very real, as well. At Crestview Recovery, it is always important to seek out treatment to ensure you can reclaim your health. We can help you through every step of your recovery, from inpatient or outpatient treatment to rehab aftercare. It is important to understand the relationship between women and alcoholism so you can be more aware of how it can affect your life. Reach out for treatment today to get help if you are suffering from alcoholism.
Women and Alcoholism
As noted, women tend to have a lower level of development of alcoholism compared to men. However, when they do develop this, the negative effects may be worse. Women and alcoholism is a very dangerous condition, one that often requires the use of a women’s rehab program.
Why can alcoholism be worse for women? The female body tends to be smaller and more likely to develop complications from alcohol use. Additionally, a women’s body chemistry interacts differently with alcohol than men. It takes far fewer drinks, then, to lead to intoxication and toxicity in the body. It also takes longer for alcohol to flush from your body than it does for men.
Long Term Risk Factors
When it comes to women and alcoholism over the long-term, there is a real risk there, too. Women can develop a wide range of health complications from use, including:
- High blood pressure (increased heart disease risk)
- Liver damage
- Breast cancer development
- Other forms of cancer
- Addiction and dependence
Women also may be reluctant to get help for their alcoholism. They may have families to care for without much help. Other times, there are educational or career goals that may be limited if a woman were to get help for their condition.
Do You Have an Addiction?
Perhaps what is most worrisome is that many women do not recognize their alcohol use as an addiction. You may think that having a drink or a glass of wine every day is okay. However, alcohol use on a consistent basis, even in a smaller amount, can lead to addiction for many people. You may need help if you:
- Need a drink each day.
- Think about drinking often.
- Need to drink more to get the same results.
- Are pulling away from friends or family.
- Hide your alcohol use.
In these situations, it is very important to seek out help from our Bend alcohol rehab center. Our team can offer the guidance you need. We offer an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and partial hospitalization program (PHP) options to help you stay at home but still get the care you need. For many women, there is also the need for a mental health therapist in Portland, OR. They can help you if you suffer from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. We can help you with this, too. Our gender-specific rehab is designed to empower you to break the link you have with alcohol. You can get help by calling us today.
Contact Crestview Recovery
There has never been a more important time than right now to learn about women and alcoholism treatment. If you are struggling with alcohol use, you may not be sure what steps you can take to recover. Our team at Crestview Recovery can offer you the guidance you need. To get help today, and to get started on your recovery journey, call us at 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
