Women and Drug Addiction: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

The history of women and addiction in America extends back more than 150 years. Although the true epidemiology of women and addiction has always been difficult to determine, the spectrum of female addicts extends well beyond those women who make sensationalistic headlines by "abandoning" or "battering" their children. Historically, female addiction has been largely the result of inappropriate overmedication practices by physicians and pharmacists, media manipulation, or individuals own attempts to cope with social or occupational barriers preventing equality and self-fulfillment. From the mid-nineteenth century, uneasy tolerance, social ostracism, vilification, persecution, and legal prosecution have grudgingly, but not completely, given way to more humane treatment opportunities in the setting of more enlightened comprehensive care.

Existe-t-il des différences entre les hommes et les femmes en ce qui concerne les problèmes de toxicomanie ?

“…Par exemple, les normes sociales ont évolué dramati-quement pendant les dernières décennies. Bien que l'abus de drogue soit toujours plus préjudiciable pour une femme, particulièrement si elle est enceinte ou si elle a des enfants, en général l'usage de drogue chez les femmes est plus toléré qu'il ne l'était il y a quelques décennies (Kandall, 2010). En effet, depuis les années 1950, la consommation de certaines drogues thérapeutiques (dont quelques-unes présentent un fort potentiel d'abus) comme les anxiolytiques (barbituriques dans les années 1950 et 1960 et benzodiazépines par la suite) ainsi que les analgésiques (incluant les opiacés) est encouragée par la publicité et le corps médical.…”

“…La disponibilité des drogues est un autre facteur déter-minant. Autrefois, l'accès aux drogues était plus limité pour les femmes mais cette situation a changé de façon draconienne au cours des dernières décennies (Kandall, 2010).…”

New media and old stereotypes. Images and discourses about drunk women and men on YouTube

“…In line with this, White and Kilbourne (2006) state that stigmatization of addicted women has been based on two main stereotypes: that they were unrestrained sexually, and that they were bad mothers. As the role assigned to women is almost exclusively that of raisers of children, they are more vulnerable to social ostracism and denigration, so much so that women with addiction problems have long remained in the shadows, often ignored by society and politicians, and barely receiving aid (Kandall, 2010;Wilsnack, 1991).…”

Experiences of mothers with substance dependence: Informing the development of parenting support

“…). These mothers are often identified as unfit and uncaring mothers (Kandall ). This is not usually an intentional act by the mothers as they love their children, but as an outcome of stressors in their life and a lack of support (Arney et al .…”

“…Women frequently encounter stigma and feelings of guilt related to their past or current drug use, and the impact this may have on their children (Hall & van Teijlingen 2006, Silva et al 2013). These mothers are often identified as unfit and uncaring mothers (Kandall 2010). This is not usually an intentional act by the mothers as they love their children, but as an outcome of stressors in their life and a lack of support (Arney et al 2010).…”