Women and Drinking Problems

Paul Kang

                When it comes to drinking alcohol, studies have shown that there are gender differences.  Women have less body water, and they have less of the enzyme for alcohol metabolism in the stomach.  Therefore, women reach higher blood alcohol levels than men of the same weight consuming the same portion of alcohol over an equal time period.  Women tend to drink and start to depend on it because of negative emotions, and often it is from interpersonal stimulation, alone and at home.  Adult men are about twice as likely to have substance-related disorders as women; this also includes non-alcohol related disorders, but during the ages of 12-17, the rates are similar for both genders.  Women usually drink later in life than men, but they tend to develop alcohol-related issues more quickly.  Females who drink regularly are at greater risk than males for many health problems like liver damage, cardiovascular damage, brain damage, and cancer.  

                A team of clinical researchers at Rutgers University has been doing randomized clinical trials since 1997 to develop and test treatments for alcohol dependent women.  The average SES of the women in the research samples were relatively well off, in the $90,000 range.  Alcohol Cognitive Behavioral Couple Therapy (ABCT) modality and Alcohol Cognitive Behavioral Individual Therapy (ABIT) modality were used. The ABIT was better with engaging and retaining treatment, but the ABCT resulted in having greater maintenance of the gains during and after the treatment. 

                Female Specific Cognitive Behavior Therapy (FS-CBT) is an alcohol-focused skills-based program, and it has been tested and developed over the past nine years.  Its goals are to help women abstain from alcohol and enhance empowerment.  Much of the program's success has to do with social support.  It has been proven to greatly reduce drinking problems, and that also leads to less anxiety and depression.  This type of therapy has given much hope for future women with substance-related issues.

References:
Epstein, Elizabeth E. "What's New in Research on Women with Alcohol Problems." New Jersey Psychology Fall 2012: 41-43.