By:  Donna Genera, MFT

In a variety of ways, women are more vulnerable than men to the ravages of substance use.  The number one drug of choice for women is alcohol. This is followed closely by cigarettes, prescription drugs, marijuana, and any form of stimulant.

In the last 25 years, the number of women drinkers has increased by a ratio of two to one over new male drinkers.  Among college students, the percentage of male drinkers rose 3%, while female drinkers increased by 12% (Straus, Bacon & Hanson).

Physiologically, the genders differ due to the way hormones influence our bodies. This is the basis for a variety of differences in how drugs affect us.  Alcohol, in particular, has a multitude of deteriorating effects on us – far more than on men.  Women have less of an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol in their stomach lining.  Therefore, when a woman drinks alcohol, it enters her bloodstream at a 20% higher level of concentration.  This includes the poisonous substance acetaldehyde, which is the part of alcohol that gets us giddy and high.

Women also have far more fat cells than men, which is sad, but true.  Fat plays a part in the concentration level of the drugs we ingest since most drugs are not fat soluble, but ARE water soluble.  Since many drugs are stored in fat cells, they stay in our systems for a longer period of time.  Some drugs, such as marijuana or prescription medications, can be found in the body for up to 45 days after last use.

Drugs cause raised veins and broken blood vessels as well.  With their continued use, we might show signs of hepatitis – another indicator of a low functioning liver.  More importantly, women are far more likely than  men to develop alcoholic hepatitis and to die from cirrhosis of the liver. (Gavaler, Arnold & Hall, 1995).

Women have reached a dubious equality in consumption levels and are far ahead of the guys in  prescription drug abuse.  80% of health care services are used by women and we frequently leave with one or two prescriptions in hand.  There are two favorite categories of pills: Benzodiazepine tranquilizers, such as Valium, Xanax, or Ativan for anxiety; and Amphetamines (“speed”) often used for dieting.  Sadly, far too many well-intentioned physicians prescribe us possible lethal combinations of medications.

Another trap women fall into is the use of illegal substances.  This is a dangerous practice.  You never know what are in “street drugs.”  When buying cocaine or crystal meth, the crafty dealers know that “cutting” these drugs extends them, and therefore their profits.  Don’t think for a moment that these dealers have ethical standards above using cheaper and even more dangerously toxic substances to cut their wares.

Due to the enormous social pressure to be rail thin, younger women, in particular, are experimenting with a number of forms of speed, such as crystal meth, and crack cocaine, to control appetite, and therefore their weight.  And, since nicotine is a stimulant, cigarette smoking also has escalated, predominantly among young girls, in hopes of staying thin.

It is vitally important that we educate ourselves to the impacts and consequences of drug usage, especially to women.  When we have the knowledge and the tools we are in a better position to impart that knowledge to our clients and those in our community.  Women can then make better choices for themselves.