Women And Substance Abuse

Stats To Know

(National Alcohol and Other Drug Survey, Health and Welfare Canada, 1990)

• A lower percentage of Newfoundland women (57%) are current drinkers of alcohol than Newfoundland men (79%).
• During the year prior to the survey, Newfoundland women consumed an average of 1.5 drinks per occasion in comparison to Newfoundland men who consumed an average of 3.8 drinks.
• Of those who had ever consumed alcohol, a higher percentage of Newfoundland women (25%) gave up drinking than Newfoundland men (17%).
• More Newfoundland women (16%) have never consumed alcohol than Newfoundland men (4%).
• Similar percentages of Newfoundland men and women consume alcohol to be sociable (f =88.4% m =81.2%); to add enjoyment to meals (f =24.2% m = 23.4%) and to feel less inhibited or shy (f = 13.6% m = 17.9%). However, fewer Newfoundland women than men consume alcohol to forget worries (f = 8.9%, m = 17.4%); to feel good (f = 18.5%, m = 42.5%) and to relax (f = 38.4%, m = 57.3%).
• Newfoundland women consume a much lower percentage of beer than Newfoundland men (f = 19.2%, m = 80.8%). However, Newfoundland women consume a much higher percentage of alcohol coolers than Newfoundland men (f = 83.3 %, m = 16.7 %).
• Similar percentages of Newfoundland men and women are current smokers (f = 33%, m = 38%)
• Of those who had ever smoked cigarettes, a lower percentage of Newfoundland women (21 %) gave up smoking than Newfoundland men (35%).
• More Newfoundland women (45%) have never smoked cigarettes than Newfoundland men (27%).
• Newfoundland women begin smoking at the average age of 15.5 years while Newfoundland men begin at 17.5 years.
• Newfoundland women smoke an average of 14.8 cigarettes per day while Newfoundland men smoke an average of 22.6.
• During the year prior to the survey, fewer Newfoundland women (2.9%) used marijuana in comparison to Newfoundland men (7.6).

• In Canada, the use of sleeping pills and tranquillizers is more common among women than men. One study showed that twice as many prescriptions for mood-altering drugs are written for women than for men.
• It is estimated that up to 74% of women with addictions have previously been victims of some form of abuse.
• Compared to men who have addictions problems, women with addictions problems report having lower levels of self-esteem and more intense feelings of depression and/or anxiety.
• There is a stigma towards men and women who have addictions problems. It would appear that women feel this stigma much more acutely than men. Because society views women as the caretakers and nurturers, when women deviate from this role they are more apt to be viewed as failures.
• Men tend to blame others or a specific situation for their addiction, while women often blame themselves. Women often believe that not being able to control the use of a substance is a result of a personal flaw.
• Women often go to their family doctor or another professional for problems associated with their drinking (ie. feelings of depression, anxiety, insomnia, marital difficulties), rather than the drinking itself. Therefore, women with drinking problems are often overlooked or misdiagnosed.
• The symptoms of alcohol abuse appear at different stages for men and women. Heavy drinking in women is often linked to a crisis such as divorce, bereavement, or the "empty nest syndrome".
• Women are less likely to drink in public than their male counterparts, however, binge drinking often occurs earlier in women. Health complications can occur for women after a shorter period of heavy drinking.
• When compared to men, the trend is for women to develop alcoholism later in life but at a faster pace.
• Females metabolize alcohol at a slower rate than males. As a result, alcohol stays in their system longer and they therefore become intoxicated more quickly.
• Studies show that drinking during pregnancy places the unborn child at risk for various health problems (ie:. birth defects, brain damage). The full range of these effects in a child is referred to as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
• Family responsibilities serve as barriers to treatment for women more often than for men.
• As the role of women in society continues to change, the nature of alcohol/drug related problems can be expected to change.

For additional information, please contact one of the following Addictions Services Offices.