Alcoholism has long been associated as a disorder that mainly affects men. When you look at the facts and figures however, it’s something that more and more women are struggling to cope with as well.
The latest statistics about alcohol use in the United States shows that 9.4% of men aged 18+ have an Alcohol Use Disorder and women are catching up at 4.7%. When it comes to adults who have received specialized treatment, the figures are much closer – 8% for men and 7.3% for women.
Worryingly, amongst those aged 12-17, the number of females with an AUD is actually higher than males (3.2% versus 2.5%).
One thing that is perfectly clear, is that alcoholism no longer affects men only and it’s a stereotype that needs to be addressed. In order to start doing this, it’s important to recognize that the signs of alcoholism in women aren’t always the same as they are in men.
Alcohol Addiction Signs in Women
The signs of alcoholism are typically things that might be obvious in everyday life, such as a person’s behavior or appearance. For example, as with any drug, when we consume a lot of alcohol we build up a resistance to it. Therefore, you may find that someone with a problem is drinking more and more in order to get drunk or feel the same effect.
Other signs of alcohol addiction include:
* Frequently feeling nauseous and getting headaches
* Difficulties maintaining relationships – both personal and professional. Behaviors might change and work could suffer
* Constantly excusing how much they drink or even why they drink
* Most women start drinking because of emotional problems. They may have lost a loved one or suffered a bad relationship or maybe things aren’t going well at home or at work
* Women usually drink in solitude. If you know a woman who is socially isolating herself from family and friends, there may be a problem to look out for
* Blackouts, depression, insomnia, sleeping too much, aggression and violent mood swings are more signs to look out for, not just in women but men too
* Weight gain, especially in the face
Alcohol Abuse Symptoms
A symptom is a physical or mental feature which occurs as a result of a condition and several studies show that women often experience long-term damage from alcohol quicker than men do. The dangers of alcoholism in women include developing the following symptoms:
* Women who drink face a greater risk of developing diseases related to alcohol abuse such as liver disease, heart disease, cancer and particularly breast cancer. They are even at a higher risk of developing these conditions in comparison to men who drink similar amounts or even more
* Two US studies have showed that women tend to develop brain ‘shrinkage’ and damage to their memory capabilities much faster than their male counterparts
* Female alcoholics are at a much higher risk of suffering dementia in their later years. Too much alcohol can cause the part of a woman’s brain that solves puzzles, does mechanics or navigates maps to slowly deactivate. They can also have trouble doing math problems or figuring out complex problems. Even everyday issues can all of sudden become insurmountable
If you think that you could have an addiction and may need alcoholism treatment, please visit our Drug and Alcohol page for more information. Alternatively, feel free to contact us in the strictest of confidence and we will be more than happy to advise about alcohol abuse symptoms and the treatments that are available.
