Women and Substance Abuse: Gender, Age, and Cultural Considerations

Abstract

Historically, data has shown that a smaller percentage of women use alcohol and illicit substances compared to men, and that frequency of use has been lower among women compared to use among men. Although this data on usage may be true, researchers also acknowledge that substance use among women has been a hidden issue, one not realistically acknowledged by society, especially prior to the mid-1960s. Along with this, more recent data indicates that rates of substance use among women are increasing. Factors contributing to this increase in substance abuse have begun to receive considerable attention, and recent research suggests that many issues exist that are unique to substance use among women. The purpose of this article is to discuss gender specific considerations in women's substance abuse by examining the history of substance use among women; analyzing gender-specific factors, including physiological factors, trauma-related factors, mental health issues, and cultural considerations that impact on women's substance use; articulating treatment approaches for working with substance abusing women and girls; and providing recommendations for further research in this area.

Aging Effects on Substance Use Among Midlife Women: The Moderating Influence of Race and Substance

“…Our inability to find evidence of aging out of prescription drug misuse among women of any racial group adds to the concern voiced by others about prescription drug misuse among older women (Simoni-Wastila & Yang, 2006). The marketing of prescription drugs (Hansen & Osborne, 1995;Stevens et al, 2009;White & Kilbourne, 2006) and physicians' tendency to prescribe more moodaltering substances to aging women (Blow & Barry, 2002;Simoni-Wastila & Yang, 2006) are likely to contribute to this problem. Some research supports the premise that pharmaceutical companies educate both physicians and women consumers about licit drug options to manage illness, resulting in better informed patients and doctors (Fintor, 2002;Shin & Moon, 2005).…”

“…Through office visit solicitation and conferences geared toward educating physicians on the various uses of prescription drugs, pharmaceutical companies have influenced physicians' prescribing patterns. Since the 1980s, pharmaceutical companies have also been found to direct advertising campaigns for mood-altering substances toward aging women themselves, as reflected in print ads and television commercials (Hansen & Osborne, 1995;Stevens et al, 2009;White & Kilbourne, 2006).…”

“…First, given the cumulative effect of numerous economic and environmental disparities between Black and White women substance users, including higher rates of arrest and incarceration, homelessness, and living in violence-plagued environments (Stevens, Andrade, & Ruiz, 2009), one possible explanation might be premature death, an aspect of aging out of drug use (Prins, 2008). A panel study would help to determine the extent to which premature death contributes to differential aging out patterns between Black and White midlife women.…”

Gender Comparisons Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Patients in Drug Dependency Treatment

“…Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from serious psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety (Grella & Joshi, 1999; B. Pelissier & Jones, 2005; Stevens, Andrade, & Ruiz, 2009). In contrast, substance-abusing men are more likely to be involved in criminal activities and experience (Y.…”

Perceived Barriers to Health Promotion Behavior of Women in Early Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder

“…Compared to men, women have a reduced liver-mass-over-body weight ratio and fewer stomach enzymes and therefore absorb and metabolize alcohol differently. This may be in part responsible for women, even with less consumption, becoming addicted faster and for developing more severe brain damage or other alcohol-related diseases than men (Stevens, Andrade, & Ruiz, 2009). …”