Alcoholism in Women

When it comes to alcoholism, the numbers involving women who enter an affordable alcohol treatment center are not always representative of the numbers of women who are alcoholics. This fact alone puts them in a high risk group for potentially serious medical and psychological issues that may or may not directly be related to alcoholism.

Women and Stigmas
This is a classic issue. When most people walk into a bar and see a man sitting there having a drink, they don’t think much of it. However, when a woman does this, the opinions of her sway to the downright negative. This is one reason that women who are alcoholics tend to be more actively drinking at home than out and about. This presents more than one issue.

• Drinking at home is more affordable, so it may become more excessive than it does for those who drink outside the home.
• There is little to no risk of embarrassment, because if a women often drinks in secret or when alone, she does not have to face external pressures that may prevent her from drinking in excess.
• Women who are extremely vested in maintaining secrecy will turn to drinks that are easy to hide, even when company is present, like vodka.

Health Concerns
There are some health concerns that are specific to women who are alcoholics, even if they do decide to enter a low cost rehab center. Some of these issues depend on the age of the women, but only become more acute as women age, and their potential health risks naturally increase.

Dangers during Pregnancy
Alcoholism is going to be dangerous to both a woman and a fetus, if the woman is still able to give birth. Rather than the presence of a fetus causing her to drink less, the guilt of drinking at all may cause her to drink more. This puts both the woman and the child at risk.

Bone Density Problems
Aside from the obvious health risks of liver and brain damage due to drinking, there is also the impact on a woman’s already decreasing bone density. This is already an issue for women as they age. Alcohol only increases the risks. It also prevents women from absorbing the proper nutrients so that, even if they are eating healthfully, they are not getting all the benefits they could be.

Know a Women Struggling with Alcoholism?
If you have a loved one who you think may be an alcoholic based on what you have seen, remember there is a very good chance that you are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. It may be a good idea to contact one of the rehabs in Orange County, such as Yellowstone Recovery, to learn about how you can help. Until they decide to take action for themselves, now is a good time to be supportive and encouraging, rather than condemning. There is a good chance she is already condemning herself and assuming that society is as well. You can help her most by offering her information as well as encouragement right now.