Drug Rehab Center

The Difference Between Men and Women With Addictions

By Cathy Patterson-Sterling, MA, RCC

Director of Family Services, Sunshine Coast Health Center

Research and studies show that the impact of addiction on men and women can be different for both genders. Here are some differences at a glance

Men:

are more likely to have a drug abuse or alcohol abuse problem than women
have much higher rates of chemical dependence than women for all ages except the 12 to 17 year age group
tend to higher rates of “social drinking” when compared to women
tend to start using cocaine recreationally as a way to bond with other men. Women, on the other hand, typically initiate recreational cocaine use as a way to bond with the men in their lives

Women:

tend to proceed more rapidly to drug dependence compared to men
tend to have higher rates of “social smoking” when compared to men
are more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS through injection drug use when compared to men. Approximately two thirds of AIDS cases among women result from injection drug use. AIDS is now the fourth leading cause of death among women 15 to 44 years
tend to begin abusing drugs at a later age than their male counterparts
who have been treated for drug addiction have a higher incidence of childhood sexual when compared to men. Studies indicate that up to 70% of women in drug abuse treatment reports have histories of physical and sexual abuse with victimization beginning before the age of 11
who have been treated for drug addiction have a higher rate of disordered eating when compared to men. For example, as many as 55% of bulimic patients are reported to have drug and alcohol use problems.Overall, 15-40% of females with drug abuse or alcohol problems have been reported to have eating disorder syndromes, usually involving binge eating
have higher rates of co-existing substance abuse disorders and other psychiatric disorders compared to men. Data from a study on female crime victims, for example, indicate that those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 17 times more likely to have major drug abuse problems than non-victims

Women who seek addiction treatment are in need of female-sensitive services for a wide range of medical problems, mental disorders, and psychosocial problems. Furthermore, there is a stronger likelihood that women with addictions have been victimized earlier in life so this means that they have special psychological and psychiatric needs. For this reason, non-punitive and non-coercive treatment facilities are recommended for female populations.

One can conclude from the information above that women have very specific treatment needs especially considering that their cocaine addictions may start out as attempts to connect intimately in relationships and that women also have a higher incidence of medical and co-existing mental health issues compared to men. With the above differences in mind, one can also make a strong case for gender-specific treatment in which men’s drug and alcohol programs are designed for men’s needs and the same is provided for women with their exclusive issues.

If gender-specific treatment is the gold standard, then the question remains as to why so many men and women remain in co-ed treatment settings. Is this simply a case of economics – ensuring as many admissions as possible? Or does co-ed treatment have some special redeeming qualities in terms of care for clients? The writer will leave it to the reader to ponder such controversial questions.

References

www.alcoholaddiction.org - “Men vs. Women in Substance Abuse” – April 13, 2008
www.4therapy.com – “Women Often Experience Addiction Differently Than Men”

Stepanie S. Covington Ph.D., LCSW - Center for Gender and Justice

Share and Enjoy: