Women and Substance Abuse: Gender, Age, and Cultural Considerations

Abstract

Historically, data has shown that a smaller percentage of women use alcohol and illicit substances compared to men, and that frequency of use has been lower among women compared to use among men. Although this data on usage may be true, researchers also acknowledge that substance use among women has been a hidden issue, one not realistically acknowledged by society, especially prior to the mid-1960s. Along with this, more recent data indicates that rates of substance use among women are increasing. Factors contributing to this increase in substance abuse have begun to receive considerable attention, and recent research suggests that many issues exist that are unique to substance use among women. The purpose of this article is to discuss gender specific considerations in women's substance abuse by examining the history of substance use among women; analyzing gender-specific factors, including physiological factors, trauma-related factors, mental health issues, and cultural considerations that impact on women's substance use; articulating treatment approaches for working with substance abusing women and girls; and providing recommendations for further research in this area.

KEYWORDS:

• culture physiology
• mental health
• substance use
• theory
• trauma
• treatment
• women

Notes

Supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)–National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) (grant numbers 1 R01 DA 10651 and 1 U01 DA 07470), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)–Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) (grant numbers H79 TI 14452, KD1 TI 11892, KD1 TI 11422, and 5 HD8 TI00383), and SAMHSA–Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) (grant number 5 U79 SPO7940). The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of NIH–CNIDA, SAMHSA–CCSAT, or SAMHSA–CSAP.