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Today, an overwhelming number of women, like men, are affected by their own addiction to cigarettes, alcohol and other prescription and illicit drugs. Women become addicted faster than men and suffer the consequences of abuse-related illnesses sooner than their male counterparts.
Using alcohol and other drugs increases a woman's risk of developing serious illnesses. Women who abuse alcohol and other drugs face an increased risk of heart disease, liver disease, ulcers, reproductive problems, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, memory loss and other illnesses caused by substance and alcohol abuse. In addition, women who abuse alcohol and/or drugs are also at risk for sexual assault, unprotected sex, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.
While there are no easy ways to treat alcohol dependence or substance abuse, there are programs designed to deal with these addictive behaviors. If you feel you, or someone you care about, may have an alcohol or substance abuse problem, the most important thing is to seek help. Your primary care doctor or a mental health professional will be able to guide you to the appropriate treatment.
Alcohol Dependency
Illicit Drugs
Alcohol Dependency
Women use alcohol for a variety of reasons including relaxation, loneliness, poor self- esteem, socialization and strength.
Symptoms of alcoholism/alcohol dependency include:
- Increased tolerance for alcohol
- Excluding other activities because of alcohol
- Inability to stop drinking, even though you want to
- Not remembering what you did when you were drinking
- Personality changes
- Finding excuses to drink
- Drinking alone
- Refusing to admit you drink too much, becoming irritated when someone suggests you do
- Deteriorating performance in school or work
- Lack of interest in personal appearance
- Poor health -- lack of appetite, respiratory infections, nervousness
- Getting arrested for driving under the influence or other alcohol-related charges
- Financial problems caused by use of alcohol
Illicit Drugs
Three types of illicit drugs most often used by women are cocaine, marijuana, and hallucinogens.
Risks associated with cocaine use:
- Cardiac arrest
- Seizures, followed by respiratory arrest
- Constricted blood vessels
- Permanently impaired vision
- Increased temperature, heart rate and blood pressure
Risks associated with marijuana use:
- Increased levels of testosterone
- Increased appetite
- Reproductive problems
- Lung damage, potential cancer
- Damage to nerve cells
- Changes in the part of the brain crucial for learning, memory and integration of sensory experiences
Risks associated with use of hallucinogens:
- Unpredictable, erratic and violent behavior
- Flashbacks
- Precipitation of psychotic episodes
- Catatonic syndrome
- Coma
- Lung and heart failure
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