Did you know almost 20 million females between aging 18+ claimed to have consumed illicit drugs last year? That’s up to 15% of total females in our country. Scientific research has found that substance addiction can cause hormonal problems and affect the menstrual cycle, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause.
This post will talk about why women become addicted to substances and how women differ from men. If you know someone struggling with addiction, encourage them to find and attend drug addiction programs for women.
Why Women Become Addicts
The answer itself relies on the biological and sociological roles women play in society. Here are some explanations:
- Biological factors: Scientific research has found that females between the ages of 8-22 suffer from physical changes in their bodies. The stress and unconformity with the body’s changes might motivate females into drug use.
- Sociological factors: When females transition from middle school to high school, they face social pressure and desire to fit in, leading them into drug use. 41% of girls reported stressful life events like parental divorce or switching homes or schools as the main reason to use drugs. Parental communication has proven to be 50% more effective against drug abuse of daughters.
Adult women who suffer from stressful life events such as divorce, losing child custody, or family death can develop a need for addictive substance use. Other reasons are related to traumas suffered in their lifetime. Women who were physically or sexually abused are twice more likely to use addictive substances than those who did not suffer abuse.
How Women Differ From Men Regarding Drug Addiction
As we mentioned before, women have biological and sociological factors regarding sex and gender that influence them into becoming addicted to drugs. However, scientific research has also found out that women differ from men regarding drug use and addiction.
- Women can become addicted by using a smaller amount of drugs than men.
- Women have more chances of relapsing after getting treatment.
- Drugs affect women’s hormones more than men. Sex hormones and drug cravings become more sensitive to women.
- Women are more likely to go to the emergency room or die of drug-related causes.
Again, please do not wait until it is too late to act. If you know a friend that has a substance use disorder, help them contact drug programs for women.
Hope Harbor Wellness Will Help You Every Step Of The Way
Hope Harbor Wellness is an outpatient treatment center that offers women individualized drug rehabilitation to empower them to find a joyful, drug-free life. With a compassionate approach and after recovery plans, we will work with you to recover completely. Contact us to find your true self in society.
