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Gender Differences in Addiction and Treatment

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Men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illegal drugs and misuse of prescription drugs. And resulting trips to the emergency room and overdose deaths are more common for men than women. For most age groups, men have higher rates of use or dependence on illicit drugs and alcohol than do women. However, women are just as likely as men to become addicted and be more susceptible to cravings and relapse, which are key phases of the addiction cycle.
Although men are more likely than women to report both a mental health and substance use disorder, women are more likely to suffer from certain mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder—or PTSD, and eating disorders. Some women report using substances to relieve stress or negative emotions. In addition, women are more vulnerable to developing substance use or other mental health disorders following divorce, loss of child custody, or the death of a partner or child.
It’s important to note that substance use disorders may progress differently for women than for men. Women often have a shorter history of abusing certain substances such as cocaine, opioids, marijuana, or alcohol. However, they typically enter substance use disorder treatment with more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social problems. This is because women show a quicker progression from first using the substance to developing dependence.
Withdrawal may also be more intense for women. In some cases, women respond differently than men to certain treatments. For instance, nicotine replacement (patch or gum) does not work as well for women as for men.
It can be hard for any person with a substance use disorder to quit, but women may face unique  social issues when it comes to substance abuse and treatment. Many women who are pregnant or have young children do not seek treatment or dropout of treatment early because they are unable to take care of their children. These women may also fear that authorities will remove their children from their care. The combined burdens of work, home care, child care, and other family responsibilities, plus attending treatment frequently, can be overwhelming for many women. Successful treatment may need to provide an increased level of support to address these needs.
Scientists who study substance use have discovered special issues related to hormones, menstrual cycle, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause that can impact women’s struggles with drug use. In addition, women themselves describe unique reasons for using drugs, including controlling weight, fighting exhaustion, coping with pain, and self-treating mental health problems.

  • Women use substances differently than men, such as using smaller amounts of certain drugs for less time before they become addicted.
  • Women can respond to substances differently. For example, they may have more drug cravings and may be more likely to relapse after treatment. This could be affected by a woman’s menstrual cycle.
  • Sex hormones can make women more sensitive than men to the effects of some drugs.
  • Women who use drugs may also experience more physical effects on their heart and blood vessels.
  • Brain changes in women who use drugs can be different from those in men.
  • Women may be more likely to go to the emergency room or die from overdose or other effects of certain substances.
  • Women who are victims of domestic violence are at increased risk of substance use.
  • Divorce, loss of child custody, or the death of a partner or child can trigger women’s substance use or other mental health disorders.
  • Women who use certain substances may be more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety, or depression.

Substance use during pregnancy can be risky to the woman’s health and that of her children in both the short and long term. Use of some substances can increase the risk of miscarriage and can cause migraines, seizures, or high blood pressure in the mother, which may affect the baby. In addition, the risk of stillbirth is two to three times greater in women who smoke tobacco or marijuana, take prescription pain relievers, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy.
If you or someone you love has an addiction problem, please seek medical and behavioral therapy for treatment.
 

Wear Red for Women's Health

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This Friday, the first Friday in February, is National Wear Red Day® for Women’s Health. It’s also the 15th anniversary of the campaign kickoff to raise awareness for the number one killer of women…Heart Disease.
According to the American Heart Association, since 2003, tremendous strides have been made in our heart health.:

  • Nearly 90% of women have made at least one healthy behavior change.
  • More than one-third of women have lost weight.
  • More than 50% of women have increased their exercise.
  • 6 out of 10 women have changed their diets.
  • More than 40% of women have checked their cholesterol levels.
  • One third of women has talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans.
  • Today, nearly 300 fewer women die from heart disease and stroke each day.
  • Death in women has decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years.

However, 1 in 3 women still die each year of heart disease and stroke. Compare that to 1 in 31 women who die each year from breast cancer. It’s actually more deadly than all cancers combined.
There are some risks that you can’t control when it comes to heart disease (like family history, age, gender, race, or being born with an underlying heart condition), but there are many things you can do to prevent your risk for developing heart disease:

  • Don’t smoke
  • Manage your blood sugar
  • Get your blood pressure under control
  • Lower your cholesterol
  • Know your family history
  • Stay active
  • Lose weight
  • Eat healthy

Though age is a risk factor, heart disease doesn’t discriminate and affects women of all ages. Young women have a 20 percent increased risk of heart disease if they combine smoking and taking birth control pills. Though risks do increase with age, you can reduce the risk by eating healthy and not leading a sedentary lifestyle that can cause plaque to build up in your arteries.
Even if you feel completely healthy, fit and active, you still could be at risk due to hidden factors such as high cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends you start getting your cholesterol checked at age 20, or earlier depending on family history. Blood pressure and BMI should also be monitored and checked as part of your annual exam.
Healthy blood pressure should be around 120 over 80 in healthy adults. Hypertension is the leading cause of stroke and a major cause of heart attacks. More than 30 person of American adults have high blood pressure. Most people don’t know they have hypertension until they go to the doctor.
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a good indicator of whether you’re at a healthy or unhealthy weight. You can calculate your exact BMI using this formula: Multiply your weight in pounds by 703, then divide your height in inches, then divide again by your height in inches. Even losing 10 pounds can lower your heart disease risk.
Here are the BMI ranges so you can be mindful of where your healthy BMI range would be:

  • Underweight: Less than 18.5
  • Healthy weight: Less than 25
  • Overweight: Between 25 and 29.9
  • Obese: 30 or higher is considered obese


What’s the scariest part? 64 percent of women who die suddenly of heart disease had no previous symptoms. Oftentimes, the symptoms of a heart attack are misinterpreted in women. The reality for women is that we are more likely to experience these the following symptoms as opposed to extreme chest pain:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Back or jaw pain
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheaded or fainting
  • Pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen
  • Extreme fatigue.

Stop by one of our stores in Rocky Point or Hampstead and pick up a free quiz for knowing your risk factors, so you can have an informed conversation with your doctor.
 

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