Addiction: Men vs Women

Addiction was once seen as a "man's problem" but recent research has done testing on the effects of addiction on both men and women and who does better when it comes to addiction recovery. Generally speaking, women have a tendency to fall into chemical addiction faster than men, however they are less likely to struggle and tend to do just as well in recovery as men do. Here are the results overall.



Prevalence: Winner - Women

Men are twice as likely to addicted to drugs (though it's about even when it comes to prescription drugs). Though when it comes to alcohol abuse, it skyrockets to men being about three times as likely as women to be addicted. 


Risk Factor: Winner - Tie

Studies have found that men tend to use drugs to amplify positive moods and cope with social and behavioral problems, while women are more likely to self-medicate emotional and psychological issues. Anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder and eating disorders more commonly affect women and can increase their risk of drug use. Men, by contrast, are more often affected by antisocial personality disorder, which may or may not increase the risk of drug use.


Barriers To Treatment: Winner - Men

Both men and women face significant barriers to treatment, but studies show that women who abuse drugs are less likely to seek help. Practical concerns such as cost, child-care arrangements, lack of social support, and responsibilities at home and work, along with the heightened stigma of being a female addict, are among the hurdles women face.


Response to Treatment: Winner - Tie

Once women find their way into treatment, they are just as likely as men to stay there and have comparable abstinence and relapse rates as men. Some studies suggest that women have the upper hand in recovery, with shorter relapse periods and greater willingness to seek help after a relapse. Like men, women may benefit from services that are sensitive to their specific needs; for example, family/group therapy, parenting education, treatment for mental disorders and other supportive approaches.



Click Here for the original article and some more great information