Women are more sensitive to drugs and alcohol than men, so that lower doses of certain substances rapidly lead to accelerated progression of addiction (also known as "telescoping").Women are also more likely to develop substance use disorders than men who use the same amounts.
They face particular problems related to substance abuse due to differences based on biology and culturally determined roles of men and women.
Studies have shown that men are more likely to be subjected to peer pressure at the beginning of the drug abuse process, while women are more likely to engage in self-medication.
Many women without access to medical or psychiatric treatment rely on drug or alcohol abuse as a coping strategy.
Risk factors for drug abuse in women
A common risk factor, regardless of gender, is a history of family addiction. Because certain genes are associated with addiction patterns, being aware of the addiction in your family can help avoid certain risks.
Genetics is a risk for either sex, but women are at increased risk.
Although men are more likely to become addicted than women, women can become addicted much more quickly than men. A woman who is already vulnerable to addiction tends to worsen after initial drug use and can continue to use drugs despite the negative consequences.
Self-medication
Although many factors play a role regardless of gender, studies indicate that many women use drugs as a form of self-medication. In some cases, this self-medication is due to a lack of access to mental health services, medical treatment and childcare.
In other cases, women may use psychoactive drugs to cope with symptoms caused by the trauma, such as domestic violence or sexual abuse.
Some women also report using drugs for chronic pain, to fight wasting, to control weight, or to treat mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Women who self-medicate with drugs or alcohol may become heavily dependent more quickly than men.
Injury
A contributing factor to self-medication among women is their experience of domestic violence or sexual violence.
According to the National Study on Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence:
✔ 1 in 3 women experience some form of physical intimate partner violence
✔ 1 in 7 women suffered an intimate partner injury
Because women are more likely to be affected than men, survivors may develop alcohol and drug dependence to cope with symptoms of trauma or ongoing traumatic events.
Unfortunately, self-treatment of injuries will not solve the problem and may lead to worsening of symptoms, causing new mental health problems and exacerbating existing ones.
Hormonal effect
Hormones play a huge role in women’s mental and physical health. When these hormones fail, women may become more susceptible to developing a substance use disorder.In fact, according to the National Institute Against Drug Abuse (NIDA), sex hormones increase women’s susceptibility to certain drugs.
Physiological differences
Compared to men, the female body has fewer stomach enzymes, and this causes the body to process drugs and alcohol more slowly. As a result, lower doses of a substance exert a greater impact on women over a longer period of time.Concomitant mental illness
Mental illness and the search for treatment have their own stigmas. In addition, many women struggle to find affordable treatment options.
With no other option, many women resort to substance use to cope with their symptoms.
Mental health conditions that commonly accompany substance use include the following:
✔ Schizophrenia
✔ Bipolar Disorders I and II
✔ Clinical depression
✔ Anxiety disorders
✔ Eating Disorders
✔ Post-traumatic stress disorder
✔ Borderline personality disorder
The immense stress and disorder that these conditions can cause may motivate women to seek substances that temporarily ease the stress of their struggle. Although substances provide short-term relief, substance and alcohol abuse only worsen these symptoms in the long term.
Substance use and women's health issues
Substance use is a serious health risk for women, especially those who are susceptible to pregnancy.While it goes without saying that alcohol and drugs endanger pregnancy and the unborn child, other health consequences should not be overlooked.
Health risks
Studies show that substance use in women can cause problems related to hormones, the menstrual cycle, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause.
Whereas people had pre-existing health problems prior to drug abuse, long-term use of drugs and alcohol only worsens the situation.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse and Demography (NIDA), substance abuse can have the following consequences for women's health:
Women who use drugs may also have more severe physical effects on the heart and blood vessels.
Brain changes in women who use drugs may differ from those in men.
Women are more likely to be admitted to the emergency department or to die from an overdose or other consequences of substance use.
Women who use certain substances may be more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety, or depression.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Substance use during pregnancy poses a serious risk to the health of the mother and her baby in the short and long term. Use of opioids, for example, can potentially harm the unborn child.Some substances can increase the risk of miscarriage and can cause seizures, migraines, or high blood pressure in the mother, affecting her fetus.
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, mothers who smoke tobacco or marijuana, take prescription painkillers, or use illicit drugs during pregnancy are 2-3 times more likely to be stillborn.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) suggests that marijuana may result in babies who are underweight, particularly in women who frequently use marijuana in the first and second trimesters.
Neonatal withdrawal syndrome (NAS)
When a mother uses drugs and alcohol during pregnancy, the baby may have a withdrawal syndrome after birth or a neonatal withdrawal syndrome (NEA). Use of illicit or prescription opioids, alcohol, caffeine, and certain prescription sedatives can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the drug used and its frequency.Certain substances, such as marijuana, alcohol, nicotine, and certain drugs, can be found in breast milk. However, little is known about the long-term effects on a child exposed to these substances through the mother's milk.
Pregnant women should consult their health care practitioner before using any drugs or substances.
Signs of Substance Abuse in Women
Symptoms of substance abuse in women may be hard to recognize, particularly if other factors such as hormonal changes or mental illness are present.Many women experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which causes symptoms that may be mistaken for a sign of dependency. Consider these other factors if you suspect that a friend or family member is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.
Physical Signs of Drug Abuse in Women
Physical signs of substance abuse in women include
✔ Changed or hidden behavior
✔ Appetite changes
✔ Bloody eyes
✔ Changes in appearance
✔ Protective response to substance use
✔ Financial matters
✔ Lack of energy
✔ Poor labor productivity
✔ School problems
✔ Spend more money than usual
✔ Sudden weight loss or gain
✔ Slurred speech
✔ Behavioral signs of dependence in women
Behavioral signs of substance abuse in women include
✔ Obsession with the idea of getting a drug
✔ Ignoring risks and warning signs
✔ It is impossible to stop using the drug
✔ Denial or concealment of drug use
✔ Anxiety
✔ Personality changes
✔ Emotional and mental withdrawal
✔ Inattention
✔ Irritability
✔ Lack of motivation
✔ Mood swings
Paranoia
Treatment of drug dependence in women
According to a study at Harvard Medical School’s McLean Hospital, women are less likely than men to seek treatment and are more likely to face gender barriers to treatment.Because of the high level of prejudice associated with women's health, mental health and substance abuse, many women find treatment unattractive or fear condemnation and even abuse.
For women who need hospital treatment, living together and having therapy may be a common problem, especially if she has a history of domestic violence or rape. Fortunately, women-centered treatment centers are becoming more popular and affordable.
What is the difference between treatment of drug addiction in women
It is important to understand that women see their addiction differently than men. Women often report a higher sense of shame and guilt associated with drug use. Often, these feelings result from gender-specific roles associated with caregiving.
With this in mind, female-centered treatment services focus on how experiences experienced by women affect addiction patterns.
Ideally, services for women should include programs that target only women, strong women leaders and service providers, peer support, and cultural programs that take into account the unique and special needs of women undergoing treatment.
Therapy
Regardless of which type of treatment program you choose, therapy should be an important component of treatment. Group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) often appear in treatment programs for good reasons.
Drug therapy helps people identify basic beliefs about themselves, resist past injuries, and find healthier ways to cope with complex emotions.
For some women, being surrounded by other women who face similar difficulties, obstacles and trauma can be very helpful.
Treatments often include individualized therapies that allow the patient to be particularly vulnerable and focus on the self. Ideally, therapists and counselors are also women, especially for those with male-associated trauma.
Treatment programs for women
Treatment usually refers to in-patient care, in-patient care, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), or intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). While there may be other versions of these programs in your region, they generally follow a similar format.
In-patient treatment is carried out in a special hospital unit or in a separate medical institution, if necessary, medical detoxification is carried out.
For both inpatient and inpatient care, patients remain on campus throughout the course of treatment. However, this option is typically used in more serious cases of dependence where patients may be dangerous to themselves.
PHP and IOPs, sometimes referred to as "day care", do not require a patient to live on campus. Treatment programs targeting women tend to follow these formats, but focus on women-only programs and hire female doctors.
Some treatment plans may focus on healing the injury, whereas others focus on mothers. If you are considering a female-centered treatment program for yourself or a loved one, health care practitioners can help you choose the best option for each situation.
Foto drug addicts
Photos of drug addicts
- / z pages
- Home
- Smoking
- Drugs as dangerous synthetic opioids
- Drug abuse in women and girls
- Drug addiction - causes, stages, consequences
- Crocodile drug
- Facts about drug use. Information
- The 10 Worst Methamphetamine Transformations Shock
- Drug use as a substance use disorder
- Drug problems. Warning Signs
- The life of a drug addict and how they rot alive shocking