Alcoholic women and men: a comparative study of social and familial aspects and outcome

Abstract

Objective: Alcoholic men-women ratio has ranged from 14:1 to 2:1, suggesting that female alcoholism should be further studied. The purpose of the current study was to compare alcohol dependence severity and treatment outcome between alcoholic men and women. Methods: In this longitudinal study, 114 male and 57 female alcoholics (ICD-10 criteria), who started treatment between 1990 and 1994 at the Botucatu Medical School Outpatient Clinic, were retrospectively and prospectively assessed up to July 1997. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and the severity of alcohol dependence was assessed (Short Alcohol Dependence Data -SADD). Results/Conclusions:The results showed poorly structured families, 55.6% of women and 65.7% of men reported relationship problems and 74.1% of women and 61.1% of men reported domestic violence. When compared to men, women started abusing alcohol later in life (p=0.01) and, usually, with their husbands (p=0.00). The course of treatment did not differ between genders. Regardless of gender, the main factors associated with a better response to treatment were: degree of alcohol dependence severity (mildly and moderately dependent users had 5.59-fold better chances of improvement than those severely dependent), religious practice (2.3-fold better chances of improving) and follow-up length, which was negatively associated with chance of improvement (0.68-fold less chance of improvement than those who remained under shorter treatment).Alcoholism. Gender. Treatment outcome. Therapeutics.Objetivos: A proporção de ocorrência de alcoolismo em homens e mulheres tem uma variação de 14:1 até 2:1, mostrando a necessidade de estudos específicos para a população feminina. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o perfil e a evolução de alcoolistas, segundo gênero e gravidade da dependência. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo longitudinal retrospectivo de 114 homens e 57 mulheres alcoolistas (CID-10), inscritos no ambulatório da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, no período de 1990-1994 e avaliados até julho de 1997. Utilizou-se um questionário semi-estruturado, e, para avaliação da gravidade do alcoolismo, o "Short Alcohol Dependence Data". Resultados/Conclusões: Os principais resultados mostraram que a estrutura familiar estava comprometida com: relacionamento difícil para 55,6% das mulheres e 65,7% dos homens; violência familiar em 74,1% das mulheres e 61,1% dos homens. As mulheres iniciaram a ingestão mais tarde que os homens (p=0,01), em geral com seus cônjuges (p=0,00). Não houve diferença de evolução no tratamento entre os gêneros. Os principais fatores associados à melhor resposta ao tratamento, independentemente do sexo, foram: nível de gravidade de dependência do álcool (dependentes leves e moderados apresentaram 5,59 vezes mais chances de melhorar do que os dependentes graves); ser praticante de alguma religião (2,3 vezes mais chances de melhora do que os pacientes que não eram praticantes); e tempo de seguimento no programa, negativamente correlacionado a chances de melhora (0,68 vezes menos chanc...

Differences in drinking patterns between men and women in Brazil

“…6 In addition to physiological issues, changes in social roles and the expressive female penetration into the work force in the last decades have also contributed to changes in their behaviors, including increased drinking opportunities. 7 In a large national survey in the United States, Keyes et al 8 found evidence for a closing of the gender gap in alcohol use, abuse, and dependence, especially in most recent cohorts. Younger women have an increased risk of alcohol-related problems, 9 which may be mostly attributable to earlier onset ages for drinking during recent decades.…”

Rastreamento de uso de álcool por gestantes de serviços públicos de saúde do Rio de Janeiro

“…25 O uso de álcool pela gestante parece contribuir também para o ganho de peso gestacional insuficiente, menor freqüência aos serviços de pré-natal e maior utilização de outras drogas. 17,20 As repercussões diretas do problema para o feto e recém-nascido também são variadas. 25 A literatura mostra maior risco de malformações, aborto espontâneo, baixo peso ao nascer, prematuridade, asfi xia e mortalidade perinatal, além de diversos problemas físicos e mentais decorrentes da Síndrome do Alcoolismo Fetal.…”

O fenômeno da recaída no alcoolismo: uma revisão integrativa das publicações científicas internacionais (2004-2009)

“…There are some attempts in this direction, based on the finding that improved health and other aspects of life does not always coincide with abstinence (31) . An interesting proposal is one that includes the improvement of the social and family relationship as a criterion to define recovery (32) . These and other qualitative criteria form a definition of recovery based on the decrease of the problems arising from the act of drinking, and not only in the reduction of consumption itself.…”

“…Unfavorable socioeconomic conditions (low income and unemployment, among others) have been associated with the development of alcohol dependence (36) and also to relapse and the greater difficulty of recovery (37)(38) . Religious practice has also been associated with recovering alcoholics (32,36,39) . This can be explained by the new net of friends, the reception by the group and by offering support to rebuild their lives (40) .…”