Table of Contents
Introduction
Gender stereotypes and addiction have long been a discussion in our society. However, recent statistics suggest that women are more prone to drug use than men.
One of the reasons for this conclusion could be that men were always allowed to do drugs and drink alcohol in social circles, whereas it was more like a taboo for women.
However, we all know that forbidden fruits taste the sweetest. This is why, as days pass by, women become more prone to drug abuse, and they are also more vulnerable to its long-term health effects.
If you know someone who is abusing drugs, take her to the AscendantNY detox center right now. Click https://www.ascendantny.com/detox-centers-new-jersey/ to get more information on them.
Are Women More Prone To Drug Abuse?
Women are somehow acknowledged as more vulnerable to drug abuse than men. However, just because we are saying this doesn’t make the statement universally true. Keep scrolling down this post, and find the 9 things there is to know about women’s relation to drug abuse.
1: Women Are Prone To Drug Abuse Transition And Addiction
Recent studies show that 11.5% of men start abusing drugs at the earliest onset, whereas only 6.4% of women do so early.
Sounds contradicting, right?
Well, we have not finished yet. Even though men are more prone to start drug-abusing early, women are more prone to develop drug abuse into an addiction, and they do that at a much faster pace.
2: Women Are More Inclined Towards Self-Medication
Women are more likely to suffer from emotional problems, and they face a heightened sense of depression and anxiety when society treats them wrongly.
This is why they tend to self-medicate themselves with drugs and alcohol so that they find the courage to deal with societal contracts.
It is pretty obvious that women and men are taught to behave differently, and as so many women are aware of these gender gaps, they try to seek refuge in drugs to cope with this daily nonsense.
3: Women Recover Later Than Men
When women develop a drug addiction, they can continue it without anyone noticing for much longer than men.
This is why their chances of recovering from the addiction also get obstructed because their problems come to light much later.
So, it’s evident that women recover later than men, and even their chances of relapse are far higher than their male counterparts.
4:Women Face More Side-Effects
The intensive feeling of cravings or withdrawal symptoms is more prominent in women than in men.
Not only that but also drugs affect hormone production quite notably. When the hormone axis is not regulated rightly, it brings ample side effects in women.
They become more emotional than they used to be, and their emotions can push them to drink more alcohol or abuse harmful substances.
5: A Certain Age Group Of Women Are More Susceptible To Drug Abuse
If you think about what happened to those old sayings that used to dictate that women are more mature than men, are more intelligent, and make better decisions, you have a right to worry.
However, not all women are susceptible to drug abuse. For example, studies show that girls between the 12-17 age groups tend to use more stimulants and opioids than boys of the same age.
It is probably because they stay in high school during this time, and that’s a tough time for many girls who are not that confident and don’t have a heightened sense of self-esteem.
6: Women Are More Likely To Abuse Depressants
If you look at the statistics, you’ll see that women are more likely to abuse depressants, whereas men are more likely to abuse alcohol.
The inclination towards depressant abuse is also prevalent in women of older age because they feel more lonely in social circles than men.
Some women who have experienced sexual violence also turn towards depressants, proving why women are more prone to drug abuse than men.
7: Women Abuse Drugs To Overcome Pain
Some research papers show evidence that women have a lower threshold for pain tolerance, which is why they start abusing certain pharmaceutical drugs in the first place.
However, with time, they depend on those drugs and don’t allow their bodies to function normally without its influence.
The statistics of opioid-related death in women increased by 596% from 1999 and 2016, proving that women have grown more accustomed to these drugs with time, and this is a scenario that nobody ever expected.
8: Women Are Developing Similar Drinking Habits
Previous studies showed that women don’t drink alcohol as much as they abuse other drugs. However, with each passing day, their drinking habits fall in line with their male counterparts.
According to 2020 data, 59% of men drink alcohol regularly, and 47% of women drink them. Even though there is still a big difference between these statistics, women’s drinking patterns have increased over the years.
On the contrary, men’s drinking patterns have remained static, suggesting that women may surpass the drinking quotient soon enough.
9: Women Are More Likely To Complete The Treatment Program
Let’s end the discussion on a positive note. Women are indeed more prone to drug abuse, but it’s also true that women are more likely to stick to the addiction treatment and come out stronger and better.
Whereas if we talk about men, they often tend to escape from the rehab or detox centers and never come back to complete the treatment.
Since women complete their drug addiction treatment, they can also become better role models than men to support someone’s journey in the recovery process.
Commit To Sobriety!!!
It must be clear to you now that women are more prone to drug abuse because they face more social and emotional problems than men. We agree that it depends on individuals’ perspectives to deal with daily issues rather than seeking refuge in addiction.
However, it is easier said than done. Humans are programmed to function in a certain way when they face certain situations, and just like that, women are also programmed to handle some situations (sexual violence) alike.
Therefore, if you need more information on these, we can get back to you. Just post your concerns in the comment box, and wait for your replies. Till then, stay sober!!!
