Women Rehab

What is Alcohol or Drug Addiction in Women

Though historically more common in men, women also have a high prevalence of substance use disorders. Similar to other demographic population segments, women in recovery could have different challenges and obstacles than men. This is due to variations in both sex (e.g., biological distinctions between male and female bodies) and gender (e.g., roles of masculinity and femininity that are formed by society or culture).

Alcohol or drug addiction in women is a challenging and complicated disorder that can have serious implications for their social, mental, and physical health. It is characterized by a long-term and fixated dependence on substances that consist of alcohol, prescription medicines, or narcotics. Understanding the unique complexities of alcoholism in women is critical to successful counseling and support.

In Terms Of Culture

Because of their traditional societal responsibilities as gatekeepers, mothers, caregivers, and frequently the primary facilitator in their families, women have frequently endured higher degrees of stigmatization surrounding substance use. Women are starting to drink at frequencies and intensities that are rapidly matching those of their male counterparts as they become more integrated into the mainstream workforce.

In order to attain and sustain long-term recovery, women with substance use disorders may need to address a variety of concerns and requirements that are particular to their experiences and circumstances.

What causes Addiction in Woman

A variety of variables contribute to the establishment of alcohol or drug addiction in women, involving biological, psychological, and social components. While the specific causes may differ from person to person, the following elements frequently contribute to the beginning and growth in addiction:

• Genetic Predisposition: Women with substance use disorders experience cravings and relapse more frequently than males do, and their disorders progress more quickly. Addiction progresses more quickly in women due to physiological variations in how they metabolize drugs and alcohol. Because the body processes alcohol and other drugs more slowly due to a lack of stomach enzymes, the body is exposed to higher amounts of the drug for longer periods of time.
• Stigma: For women, particularly mothers, the stereotyping, blame, and guilt associated with addiction can be more intense. Compared to men, women report higher levels of stigma, and obtaining treatment is known to be obstructed by stigma.

  In the past, substance use disorders among women were viewed as self-Centreed, immoral, and harmful to the family, child, and society as a whole. However, most recent classifications of substance use disorders recognize addiction in women as a medically curable illness that affects cognitive function in general and decision-making in particular.

  Prolonged loneliness is also frequently observed in stay-at-home mothers or in women who have never held a job outside the home.

• Substance addiction may disrupt the delicate balance of dopamine, serotonin, and satisfaction, among other neurotransmitters, in the brain. Severe cravings and an increased dependence on the product for pleasure or relief could result from these imbalances.
• Environmental Factors: A person’s childhood or living environment might have a substantial impact on their probability of developing addiction. Exposure to substance misuse in members of the family, pressure from friends, traumatic experiences, and living in high-stress conditions can all raise the risk.
• Women with pre-existing conditions: Substance misuse is more common in people with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and other (PTSD). People with other medical conditions frequently self-medicate to alleviate symptoms or manage anxiety and depression.
• Cultural and social influences include cultural beliefs, peer pressure, and society norms, all of which can contribute to the development and maintenance of substance abuse. Women may engage in addictive behaviors if drug use is socially acceptable or normal in specific settings.
• Stress as well as Coping Mechanisms: High stress levels combined with a lack of coping mechanisms may cause women to turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to escape or relax.
• Trauma Research indicates that although men are more likely than women to encounter a traumatic event in their lifetime, women are twice as likely to develop PTSD as a consequence of that event. Compared to women without PTSD, women who have PTSD are more likely to become addicted.
• Co-occurring Disorders: Compared to men, women are more likely to experience eating disorders, anxiety, and sadness. Depression affects almost twice as many women as it does males. Postpartum depression is another co-occurring condition that should be noted in women who have recently given birth.

It is important to understand how dependence is a complex combination of several factors, and no single explanation can adequately explain how it develops. Since every person’s experience with addiction is unique, a comprehensive treatment plan should provide individualized support and care while addressing the underlying causes.

Symptoms of Addiction

General Signs of Drug Addiction in Women Include:

• Altered or secretive behavior
• Appetite changes
• Bloodshot eyes
• Changes in physical appearance
• Defensiveness about substance use
• Financial issues
• Lack of energy
• Poor work performance
• Problems at school
• Spending more money than usual
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Slurred speech

Mental disorders can occasionally co-occur with drug use. This calls for a special kind of concurrent treatment called dual diagnosis treatment. Treatment for dual diagnoses and other therapeutic approaches are our areas of expertise at Second Street.

Signs of Drug Use in Behavior

Drug abuse manifests itself in a variety of ways. Among them are:

• Obsessive Feelings and Behaviors: Getting and using drugs takes Centre stage in a person’s life, pushing aside other commitments like family, job, and education.
• Warning signs: Despite the risks, drug addicts persist in using drugs in spite of the fact that they are physically and psychologically harmful. This is because once one is dealing with intense cravings, it is very hard to quit using drugs and alcohol on self-will.
• Loss of Will Power: Despite their desire to quit using drugs, addicts lack the will power to do so. The reason for this is that they no longer have total control over their drug-using behaviors.
• Denying Drug Use: Individuals struggling with addiction are likely to deny using drugs. So many addicts will use drugs in private so they do not get caught in a lie and have to explain themselves to others.

Physical Indications of Substance Abuse

Physical signs of addiction include withdrawal symptoms and overdose complications. It might be challenging to identify the external signs of addiction. However, the physical symptoms of drug misuse require immediate medical intervention.

The following are physical indicators of a woman overdosing:

• Aggression
• Agitation
• Delusions
• Difficulty breathing
• Drowsiness
• Hallucinations
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Trouble walking

The following are some physical signs of drug abuse withdrawal:

• Confusion
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Shakiness
• Psychological Signs of Drug Use

Because substance use alters a person’s brain chemistry, it can have a negative impact on their mental health. Signs of drug abuse in the mind include:

• Anxiousness
• Changes in personality
• Emotional and mental withdrawal
• Inattentiveness
• Irritability
• Lack of motivation
• Mood swings
• Paranoia