Women, Girls, and Addiction

Testing the Gender Effect in Drug and Alcohol Treatment

“…Research on alcohol and drug addiction has tended to neglect the impact of gender by focusing primarily on males. Some studies, which included both males and females, often did not report results by gender due to small sample sizes of females and/or no observable gender differences (Briggs & Pepperell, 2009; LaGrange, 1994); however, over the past two decades, studies have begun to pay attention to women’s addiction and gender difference in treatment (e.g., Briggs & Pepperell, 2009; Watson, 1994).…”

“…While previous research explored biological and physiological gender differences and their impact on addictive behaviors (e.g., Gavaler & Rosenblum, 1994; Grossman, Roselle, Nienaber, & Schmitt, 1994; LaGrange, 1994; Lex, 1994), more recent studies point to a more complicated addiction process in which multiple factors (including biological, psychological, social, and culture factors) play key roles (Briggs & Pepperell, 2009; Doherty, Green, Reisinger, & Ensminger, 2007; Kelly et al, 2009; Lewis, 1994a; McDonald, 1994; Watson, 1994).…”

“…Gender differences have also been found in use and addiction patterns . Studies show that women engage in substance abuse later in life than men; however, their behavior progresses to abuse and addiction much faster (Briggs & Pepperell, 2009; Lex, 1994). Women substance abusers tend to have more medical and mental health problems, and often self-medicate with illicit drugs (Briggs & Pepperell, 2009; Davis, 1994; Ettore & Riska, 1995).…”

“…Studies show that women engage in substance abuse later in life than men; however, their behavior progresses to abuse and addiction much faster (Briggs & Pepperell, 2009; Lex, 1994). Women substance abusers tend to have more medical and mental health problems, and often self-medicate with illicit drugs (Briggs & Pepperell, 2009; Davis, 1994; Ettore & Riska, 1995). Many addicted women suffer from psychological issues such as social isolation, poor self-esteem, and depression (Davis, 1994), whereas others turn to substance abuse in response to personal and/or relationship problems (Lex, 1994).…”

“…Many addicted women suffer from psychological issues such as social isolation, poor self-esteem, and depression (Davis, 1994), whereas others turn to substance abuse in response to personal and/or relationship problems (Lex, 1994). A significant proportion of women in substance abuse treatment have been victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or domestic violence (Briggs & Pepperell, 2009; Davis, 1994; Lewis, 1994b; Marlowe & Meyer, 2011). Men are more likely to be introduced to drugs by friends, whereas women are more likely to be introduced to drugs by intimate partners (Marlowe & Meyer, 2011).…”