Signs of alcohol abuse in women
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Signs of alcohol abuse in women
The thought of a woman hung over from a night of drinking used to be an uncommon sight. Sure, maybe a college co-ed or 20-something out on the town, but certainly not an older woman or respected mother.
Drinking alcohol is done for a variety of reasons in many cultures, which does include women enjoying a glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage. Often, women choose to drink alcohol to help them relax and feel more sociable or to unwind with family and friends. Or maybe they are feeling stressed out and isolated from a long day at home with kids. Some women may rely on a nightcap to help combat insomnia before they crawl into bed. But sometimes that nightcap turns into two, and within time, a 9 p.m. cocktail turns into all-day drinking.
Women and alcohol abuse
Surprisingly, binge drinking among women ages 60 and older is rising more quickly than among men in the same age-group, according to the National Institutes of Health. Consider that from 2002 to 2012, the proportion of women who drank alcohol rose from 44.9% to 48.3%. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics show that approximately 46% of adult women reported drinking alcohol in the preceding 30 days, and some 12% of adult women reported binge drinking at least three times a month, averaging five drinks per binge.
A rise in consumption of alcohol is never a good trend but especially so in women. Women are more vulnerable than men to alcohol’s effects, even after drinking smaller amounts as women typically have higher blood alcohol levels than men after drinking the same amount.
The reason why women have unique sensitivities to alcohol has to do with their gender:
· Body fat – Women tend to weigh less than men but pound for pound, a woman’s body contains less water and more fatty tissue than a man’s. Fat retains alcohol while water dilutes it. This means alcohol remains at a higher concentration for longer periods of time in a woman’s body, exposing her brain and other organs to more alcohol.
· Enzymes – Women have lower levels of two enzymes – alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase – that break down alcohol in the stomach and liver. As a result, women absorb more alcohol into their bloodstreams than men.
· Hormones – Changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle may also affect how a woman metabolizes or breaks down alcohol.
Heavy drinking can also lead to increased risk of health problems such as liver disease. Women are more likely to contract alcoholic liver disease, such as hepatitis (an inflammation of the liver), and are more likely to die from liver cirrhosis. Brain damage is another fallout women who abuse alcohol may pay the price for. Women are more likely to suffer alcohol-induced brain damage, such as loss of mental function and reduced brain size. Excessive drinking can also put women at an increased risk of falls and irregular heartbeat, and can increase their risk of some cancers, including colon and breast cancer.
Signs of alcohol abuse in women
The first sign a woman is abusing alcohol is if she is exceeding the guidelines set by experts. This has been established as no more than one drink a day if a woman chooses to drink. A drink is defined as one 12-ounce beer, a 10-ounce wine cooler, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.
Other signs include the following:
· People who are making comments on a woman’s drinking habits
· Family or friends who are raising concerns
· Memory lapses that occur when drinking
· Falls or injuries as a result of alcohol use
· Skipping meals when drinking
· Using alcohol to ease stress, anxiety, or nervousness
· Using alcohol to take her mind off of problems or concerns
· Using alcohol to cope with feelings of grief after a loss
Where to get help
It’s important for any woman abusing alcohol to get help. Even if she is reluctant, she should start by talking about the issue with her primary care physician. If she has a long-standing relationship with her physician, this can make talking about the subject easier and they can refer her to a treatment specialist.
Another option is to call an alcohol or drug abuse program directly and ask for an evaluation. Or another avenue to consider is to start attending local meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or similar groups.
Alcohol treatment is usually tailored to each individual woman. Doctors who specialize in alcohol abuse treatment typically do a comprehensive evaluation, including a psychiatric, medical, and social history. Mental health issues such as depression or anxiety can also be the reason for abusing alcohol. The good news is most women who seek treatment typically do very well if they truly want to be helped. They are not doomed to live out their lives as full-blown alcoholics and once they are treated, they can get back to living a happy and healthy life.