People of different genders can differ from each other in surprising ways. Gender differences in substance abuse rates have been observed in the general population. Men exhibit significantly higher rates of substance use, abuse, and dependence.
Surveys suggest that this gap between men and women has decreased in recent decades. But it’s still important to recognize that drug abuse can and does affect people of different genders in different ways. This knowledge can help with recognizing addiction in someone who isn’t of the same gender, and may help with self-reflection on your own relationship with addictive substances.
How Addictive Substances Affect Women Differently
Substance use disorders (SUDs) can affect women differently due to telescoping, increased vulnerability to certain health consequences, and unique difficulties in treatment.
Telescoping
Telescoping describes an accelerated progression from the beginning of substance use to the beginning of substance dependence. This occurrence has been consistently seen in investigations of gender and substance use disorders (SUDs).
Studies typically report a faster progression among women for opioid addiction, cannabis addiction, and alcohol addiction. This means that when women enter rehab, they usually present with more severe behavioral, medical, psychological, and social problems than men, even though they have likely used less of the addictive substance for a shorter time.
Biological Factors
People who were assigned female at birth are working with a completely different biological setup than those who were born male. This can manifest in multiple ways, including:
- Hormonal Differences: Sex hormones (mainly estrogen) can make women more sensitive to the pleasurable effects of some drugs. Fluctuations in hormones during the menstrual cycle may affect how women feel the effects of drugs and alcohol. This can lead to stronger cravings and faster development of dependence.
- Metabolism: Women tend to metabolize drugs and alcohol more slowly than men. This can lead to longer exposure to high concentrations of the substance in the blood and an increased risk of physical damage.
- Cardiovascular Effects: Women may incur more cardiovascular consequences from drug use, including increased risk of stroke and heart attack.
- Brain Response: Female brains may be more sensitive to the effects of drugs. This can contribute to stronger cravings and difficulty stopping addictive behaviors.
- Body Composition: Generally, women have a higher percentage of body fat than men. This can drastically impact how substances are distributed and metabolized in the body.
Social and Psychological Differences
People use addictive substances for many reasons, ranging from social acceptance to self-medication for mental health conditions. But people of different genders can experience drug use in very different ways.
- Self-Medication: Women tend to turn to substance use more often to cope with mental health issues like anxiety disorders, trauma, or depression disorders. Men are more likely to use substances because of peer pressure.
- Social Stigma: Women may experience more stigma and shame because of substance use, which can cause barriers to getting help and treatment.
- Risk of Relapse: Women may be more likely to relapse because of factors like increased stress sensitivity and trigger-induced cravings.
Consequences of Substance Abuse in Women
No matter how someone begins using addictive substances, there are always consequences to becoming addicted. Even here, there can be significant differences between the genders.
- Faster Progression: Women tend to progress from first use to dependence (and consequently, addiction) faster than men.
- Health Risks: Women are more susceptible to certain addiction-affiliated health consequences, including overdose, neurological problems, and alcohol-related liver disease.
- Mental Health Issues: Women with SUDs have a higher risk of co-occurring mood and anxiety disorders.
- Emotional and Social Impact: Women may experience increased emotional distress related to addiction, including feeling guilt, shame, and isolation. This can drive more substance abuse.
Barriers to Treatment
Women can face particular obstructions to entering addiction treatment. These may include childcare responsibilities, fear of social stigma, financial issues, and lack of support. Women are also less likely to receive appropriate treatment for SUD in general, and may end up being treated in a mental health setting instead of a specialized drug treatment facility.
How Specific Substances Can Affect People of Different Genders
Understanding how prescription drug misuse differs between women and men is essential for treatment and prevention strategies. However, these differences can be even more pronounced when talking about specific substances.
Gender Differences in Prescription Drug Addiction
Men are more likely to misuse prescription drugs in general. But the gap is closing, and women are more likely to be prescribed medications (including those that can be misused). This can contribute to the increased risk of misuse.
Women tend to begin prescription opioid use at an older age than men, but can progress quickly to regular use and dependence. Men are more likely to crush and snort prescription opioids than women. Women are more likely to misuse prescription drugs to help cope with anxiety, stress, and negative emotions, while men are more motivated by recreational use. Women may also be more vulnerable to cravings and relapse.
Gender Differences in Alcohol Addiction
The use of alcohol and the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD) show striking differences between women and men, including patterns of consumption, progress of the disorder, health consequences, and even the responses to treatment. While men still have a higher prevalence of AUD, women face particular vulnerabilities and consequences related to alcohol consumption.
Men have historically higher rates of alcohol consumption and AUD than women. However, the gender gap in consumption and AUD is closing, especially among younger generations. Although men are more likely to binge drink, the increase among women has been more obvious in recent generations. Women tend to progress more quickly from the first use of alcohol to dependence. Women are also more likely to use alcohol to help them cope with anxiety, stress, or emotional upsets.
Because of biological differences, women are more vulnerable to the adverse health effects of alcohol even at lower consumption levels. Also, women tend to develop alcohol-related organ damage (liver disease and brain damage) more quickly and at lower consumption levels. In addition, alcohol consumption creates a higher risk of breast cancer. Female alcoholics have 50 to 100% higher death rates than males. This includes causes like alcohol-related accidents, suicide, heart and liver disease, and stroke.
Gender Differences in Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD)
Although men have been more likely to develop CUD, increased cannabis legalization and changing social norms have changed the scene. Traditionally, men have higher rates of cannabis use. But women are more likely to use pipes and edibles, while men are more likely to use joints/blunts, vapes, and concentrates.
The telescoping effect is apparent for cannabis use between the genders. The use of cannabis by women is often predicated on internal issues like anxiety and relationship problems. Men are influenced by external issues, like social networks and the availability of cannabis. Women may also be more sensitive to the effects of THC at lower doses than men.
Research indicates possible sex differences in the long-term cognitive effects of cannabis. Men show diminished speed of performance, and women experience poorer long-term memory concerning certain events.
Signs of Drug Addiction
Across all genders, drug addiction symptoms include:
- Feeling the need to use the drug regularly, such as daily or several times a day
- Intense urges for the drug that override any other thoughts
- Needing more of the drug to get the same effect (physical tolerance)
- Using larger amounts of the substance over a longer period than intended
- Spending money on the substance, even if you can’t afford it
- Not meeting work responsibilities and obligations
- Cutting back on social activities because of substance use
- Driving (or other risky activities) while under the influence
- Spending a lot of time obtaining the substance, using it, or recovering from its effects
- Failing in attempts to quit using the substance
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping or cutting back on substance use
- Continuing use, even though it’s causing physical or psychological harm and other issues
Get Help for Addiction at Lumina Recovery
Mental health support, trauma-informed care, and removing the barriers to treatment can help improve outcomes for people seeking addiction treatment regardless of gender. At Lumina Recovery, we’re ready to help. Our team of professionals design a treatment program that is specific to you and your needs.
Lumina Recovery can provide a medical detox program to prepare you or your loved one for treatment. We know that in detox, women may go through prolonged or more intense withdrawal effects because of the slower drug clearance and hormonal influences. But no matter who you are or the severity of your addiction, we’re here to help.
Our staff is compassionate, experienced, and fully licensed and accredited. Don’t let barriers stop you from getting the help you need. Contact us today.