Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can affect all genders. However, the impact on women can be particularly devastating. Alcohol use disorder in women is unique in that they face biological, psychological, and social challenges influencing their relationship with alcohol and recovery.
AUD is a serious condition characterized by the inability to control or stop drinking despite adverse consequences. And unfortunately, women are more likely to hide their drinking or feel ashamed of seeking help.
It’s crucial to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder in women. If you or a woman you know struggles with AUD, understanding the unique challenges of women and alcohol can empower you to help them get the treatment they need to reclaim their lives.
Alcohol Treatment in San Diego
The Growing Concern Over Alcohol Use Disorder in Women
AUD in women isn’t a new phenomenon. However, alcohol consumption among women has indeed risen over the years. If you go way back to around the year 1900, males outnumbered females by about 3:1 for having problems with drinking. Nowadays, that ratio is more like 1:1.
A survey conducted between 2000 and 2016 revealed that women 18 and older who drink increased by 6% while the number of men who drink decreased by 0.2%. On top of that, the same survey showed that the number of women who participate in binge drinking increased by 14% but only by 0.5% for men.
This may not seem like a big deal, but it is – especially when you consider that around 28.9 million individuals 12 and older struggled with alcohol use disorder in 2023.
So, yes, it is a growing concern. We must pay attention to ourselves or the women in our lives to ensure they get the help they need as soon as possible.
Factors Contributing to AUD in Women
Women and alcohol have a unique relationship. While it’s great that women are making strides in our society to break gender barriers, it’s essential to recognize that they face unique challenges when it comes to alcohol use disorder.
Some of the factors that may contribute to the development of AUD in women include the following:
Biological Factors
There are no two ways about it: women are built differently than men. And for this reason, women metabolize alcohol differently than men. Of course, every woman is going to be different, but on the whole, women have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase. This enzyme helps break down alcohol in the liver.
Women also tend to have less water and more body fat than men. This can lead to higher blood alcohol concentrations when consuming the same amount of alcohol as men.
These biological differences mean that women are more susceptible to liver and brain damage and heart disease caused by alcohol.
Psychological Factors
Women are more likely to experience mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, which can lead to self-medication through alcohol use. The interplay between mental health and substance use is complex, but it’s not uncommon for women to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism for emotional pain or stress. This can create a vicious cycle where alcohol exacerbates mental health issues, leading to further drinking.
Social Factors
Another issue when it comes to women and alcohol use stems from social factors. Societal expectations and peer pressure can also contribute to alcohol use disorder in women. Cultural norms around drinking can lead women to feel compelled to drink to fit in. (Just think about all those references to women and wine posted on social media.)
Moreover, women who experience trauma such as domestic violence or sexual assault may turn to alcohol as a means of escape.
Understanding these contributing factors is vital for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies tailored specifically to women.
Unique Challenges Women Face When Dealing With AUD
Overcoming the societal stigma surrounding women and alcohol use is a critical step in addressing AUD. The perception of women who struggle with alcohol use disorder can be steeped in shame in judgment. And this can deter many from seeking the help they need.
Some of the unique challenges women face when battling alcohol addiction include the following:
Stigma and Social Expectations
There are a lot of strict expectations imposed on women regarding their roles as caregivers and nurturers. If you are a woman struggling with AUD or you know someone who is, you may fear judgment for not conforming to these “perfect” expectations. In turn, this could lead to increased secrecy of your drinking and a reluctance to seek help.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Many women with alcohol use disorder have co-occurring mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, depression, or eating disorders. These dual diagnoses can complicate treatment and require an integrated approach like what we offer at BOLD Health.
Impact on Families
Because women tend to be the primary caregivers, their struggles with AUD can profoundly affect children and families. Women battling alcohol use disorder may fear losing custody of children or being seen as “unfit,” which could deter them from getting help.
Treatment Options for Women With Alcohol Use Disorder
Addiction is so incredibly complex. And when it comes to women and alcohol, they face unique challenges that require expert attention and care. Everyone’s recovery journey is going to vary, but when you partner with a trusted addiction treatment provider like BOLD Health, you or your loved one will get tailored treatment best suited to their needs.
Treating addiction requires a comprehensive approach. Depending on your or your loved one’s needs, situations, and biological, genetic,l and historical underpinnings, we’ll curate an ideal treatment plan that may include a combination of several options we offer here at BOLD Health.
- Psychotherapy
Several evidence-based psychotherapy approaches can help women dealing with AUD. Some modalities include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI), among others. Individual therapy can help women understand the underlying causes of their drinking and develop healthier coping strategies.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
While not everyone may need prescription medications to assist their recovery journey, it can be very beneficial for some individuals. Prescription medications like Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram can help manage cravings and reduce the risk of relapse.
Because women may respond to medications differently due to hormonal fluctuations and other biological factors, your assigned clinician will closely monitor you or your loved one to ensure you get the proper medication.
- Group Therapy
Sharing with and hearing from others experiencing similar struggles can be extremely helpful for women dealing with AUD. Not only can they connect with others and feel less isolated, but they can also gain positive insights from other peoples’ perspectives.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Sometimes, women need a higher level of care when it comes to beating AUD. If that’s the case, we also offer an intensive outpatient program (IOP), which is a more rigorous program involving individual therapy, group therapy, and potentially medication management.
At our IOP through our alcohol rehab in San Diego, clients will spend nine hours in structured group psychotherapy sessions and one hour in individual therapy each week, in addition to sessions with a medication provider if needed.
Alcohol Use Disorder in Women Is a Growing Concern, But We Can Help at BOLD Health
Finding the right alcohol treatment in San Diego for yourself or a woman in your life shouldn’t be another stressor for you to worry about. At BOLD Health, we understand the complexities of alcohol use disorder in women and know how to help.
We’ll take the time to genuinely get to know and understand where you or your loved one is in your addiction so we can curate the ideal treatment program for you through our alcohol rehab in San Diego. Our physician-led team will walk you or your loved one through their recovery journey and ensure you get the needed help and support.