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Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs Among Women

© Mignon Quintyne

Unless you have experienced or know someone that is a woman alcoholic, I know that it's hard for many to believe that alcoholism is a major issue for many women. Below you will find a list of compelling statistics I don't think you'll have the heart to dispute.

CONSUMPTION RATES, PATTERNS & TRENDS

45% of females ages 12 or older report current alcohol use - 8% are binge drinkers and 2% drink heavily

Current use of alcohol is highest among women ages 26 to 34; binge and heavy drinking are highest among 18- to 25-year-olds.I did my heaviest drinking between the ages of 17 and 19!

Never-married, divorced and separated women generally have the highest rates of heavy drinking and drinking related problems. Is there a connection between boredom/loneliness and drinking in women? I know I started drinking as a way to "fit in" with my friends.

Widowed women, have the lowest rates of heavy drinking and drinking related problems, and married women believe it or not, display intermediate rates. I assumed incorrectly that married women would rate the highest.

Believe it or not, four times as many pregnant women drank frequently. To be honest, I had a drink two days before my son¡¦s birth to celebrate the New Year. Until that night I was totally dry.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG RELATED PROBLEMS

Research suggests that women may be at a higher risk level for developing alcohol-related problems at lower levels of consumption than men. This is yet another example of the kick in the hinny Mother Nature bestowed upon women, or maybe it was her way of looking out for us.

Nearly 4 million American women ages 18 and older can be classified as alcoholic or a problem drinker.FOUR MILLION!!

Compared to men, women with drinking problems are also at a increased risk for depression, low self-esteem, alcohol-related physical problems, marital discord, divorce, spouses with alcohol problems, a history of sexual abuse, and drinking in response to life crises. I can attest to this. Many women alcoholics that I know drink to cushion the blows of daily living.

Among the personal and environmental factors that increase women's risks for problem drinking are: the influence of husbands' or partners' drinking, depression, alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, sexual experience, sexual dysfunction, and violent victimization (physical or sexual) in childhood or adulthood.

Alcohol or other drug use may make women more vulnerable to rape. A 1988 survey of female college students found that 53% of rape victims had used alcohol or both alcohol and other drugs beforehand. 64% reported alcohol or other drug use by the rapist.

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