|
The following article is based on the book
Women Under the Influence written by The National
Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University
(CASA) and published by The Johns Hopkins University Press. The
book was written after ten years of research. Information on
ordering the book can be found at
www.casacolumbia.org.
 Women
and girls are not only affected by the substance abuse of the
men in their lives, they are increasingly abusing substances
themselves. Women Under the Influence, published
by CASA in 2006, identifies that 32 million girls and women
smoke cigarettes, 15 million use illicit drugs or abuse
controlled prescription drugs, and 6 million abuse or are
addicted to alcohol.
Increased
Vulnerabilities
Girls and women have more at stake when
they use substances. The research shows that they become
addicted faster, even when using equal or lesser amounts of
nicotine, alcohol, illicit, and prescription drugs. They
experience harsher consequences more rapidly than males. When
females use the same amount or less of a substance, they are
more vulnerable to alcohol-related liver and heart disease,
dependence on the substance, brain damage, and hospitalization
due to non-medical use of prescription pain medication. The
bodies of females process alcohol differently than males because
they contain more fat and less water so substances are less
dilute in the bloodstream and stay in the body longer. The
enzyme, ADH, which breaks down alcohol, is less active in
females and the hormone estrogen may also affect metabolism. In
general, one drink for a woman is equal to two drinks for a man.
Increased Risks
Women and girls who use substances face
risks unique to females. For instance, girls who begin smoking
in early adolescence increase their risk of breast cancer. The
risk of breast cancer increases for females of any age when
there is moderate to heavy alcohol usage. Also exclusive to
females is the increased risk of menstrual disorders and
infertility resulting from smoking or drinking. Finally, female
smokers have an increased risk of heart disease if they use oral
contraceptives.
Why do women and girls turn to substances?
Parental and peer influences have more of an impact on girl’s
decisions than boy’s. More than males, females are likely to use
substances to lose weight, relieve stress, improve mood,
increase confidence, reduce sexual inhibitions, and to decrease
boredom. Girls who have been physically or sexually abused are
twice as likely to smoke, drink, or use drugs. 21% of high
school-aged girls report sexual or physical abuse. 69% of the
women in treatment report having been sexually abused as
children. This contrasts to 12% of males in treatment who report
having been the victims of sexual abuse. Females are also
uniquely vulnerable to substance abuse by the following factors:
early puberty, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and the
use of prescription drugs. Physicians are up to 48% more likely
to prescribe abusable drugs to women than to men.
Targeted
Marketing
The alcohol and tobacco industries
advertise to appeal to women’s tastes. The feminist movement has
been a conduit for the tobacco industry since the 1920’s. Women
who smoke are portrayed as independent and strong. The American
Tobacco Company played on women’s desire to control their weight
as early as the 1920’s, urging women to “Reach for a Lucky
Instead of a Sweet”. Currently the alcohol industry is reaching
out to girls with sweet tasting products such as “alcopops,
zippers, and tooters.” The alcohol industry boasts a
self-regulated code that advertising and marketing materials
should not contain or depict graphic or gratuitous nudity, overt
sexual activity, promiscuity, sexually lewd or indecent images
or language. However the code is frequently violated.
Consequences
What happens when women become addicted?
99% of physicians do not detect signs of alcohol abuse in older
women and 41% of pediatricians miss substance abuse,
particularly among girls. Perhaps the most shocking statistic:
92% of women who need treatment for alcohol or drug problems do
not receive it. Only 38% of treatment facilities report having
programs designed for women. 19% of treatment facilities have
programs tailored for pregnant or postpartum women.
For every dollar the states spend on
substance abuse, 4 cents goes towards prevention. The remaining
96 cents is spent to ease the burden on public programs. “For
every $113 spent on wreckage of substance abuse on children,
states spend $1 on prevention and treatment for children.”
Prevention and treatment of substance abuse in women and girls
requires training and treatment, responsible media messages, and
educating females about the risks and affects of substance
abuse.
The Next
Step
Editor: Leanne
Murray
Writer: Cathy Swing
Designer: Virginia Hart
Partnership for a Drug-Free
NC
665 W. Fourth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Subscribe to The Next Step
Return to Spring/Summer 2006 Table of Contents |
