Alcoholism is not easy to fight. The kind of treatment you get will make all the difference when it comes to your chances of success. Many experts feel that gender-specific treatment is the way to go. This approach makes individuals feel more comfortable in their surroundings. It addresses addiction issues that are specific to their gender. It also reduces the chances of developing sexual feelings that can get in the way of recovery. This article will provide information on how to find an alcoholism center for women in Santa Barbara, CA, so you can find the type of treatment that is best suited to your wellness goals.
How Common is Alcohol Abuse in Women?
Here are 2019 statistics on alcoholism that reveal how common alcohol abuse is in women.
- About half of adult women have at least one alcoholic drink a month.
- About 18% of women between 18 and 44 binge drink.
- About 32% of female high school students consumed alcohol as compared to 26% of male high school students.
- About 15% of female high school students binge drink, compared to 13% of male students.
- About 4% of all women have an alcohol use problem.
- About 8% of women aged 18-25 have an alcohol disorder.
How Does Alcohol Affect Women?
Women are generally smaller than men, so their bodies are more absorbent to alcohol. It also takes them longer to metabolize the alcohol. After drinking the same amount, women will usually have higher blood alcohol levels than men. They will also feel the effects of drinking more quickly, and they will last longer.
And body size is not the only factor that makes women more susceptible to the effects of alcohol. It’s also biological factors.
Even if a woman weighs the same as a man, she may not tolerate alcohol as well. This is because alcohol is held in body water spaces, not body fat. Women have less water in their bodies and more body fat than men, so the alcohol becomes more concentrated, increasing its effects.
Women alcoholics are also less likely to break down alcohol in the stomach before it reaches the bloodstream, affecting their bodies.
Because alcohol affects women more acutely than men, it makes them more prone to alcohol-related diseases and conditions than men. These include:
- Liver Disease: The risk of liver cirrhosis and other alcohol-related liver diseases is higher in women who drink.
- Cognitive Decline: Women that drink are more susceptible to cognitive decline and shrinkage of the brain.
- Heart Disease: Heart disease is more likely to occur in women that drink excessively.
- Breast Cancer and Other Cancers: Alcohol drinking in women increases the risk of breast, liver, throat, mouth, colon, and esophageal cancer.
- Fertility Issues: Alcohol can change a women’s menstrual cycle, decreasing their chances of fertility. Experts recommend that women who are trying to conceive should never drink.
- Menopause Issues: Alcohol can be especially detrimental during menopause. It increases symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, sleep problems, and osteoporosis.
- Appearance: Alcohol dehydrates you contributing to the formation of sagging skin and wrinkles.
Women who are pregnant should never drink any amount of alcohol. It increases the risk of having a baby born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. It can also lead to a miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
How to Find an Alcoholism Center for Women in Santa Barbara, CA
It’s not difficult to find an alcohol rehab center in Santa Barbara, but if you are looking for an effective one specializing in women’s treatment, Casa Serena is highly recommended.
Casa Serena is an alcoholism program that has been providing substance abuse treatment for women with alcoholism for over 60 years. As a nonprofit organization, they use their fundraising money to provide the best treatment for their patients. They take a Southern California dual diagnosis approach addressing both alcoholism and its underlying causes to ensure long-term recovery.
Alcoholism is difficult to deal with, especially for women. Casa Serena is specialized in dealing with women’s issues to increase the chances of achieving a higher quality of life. Contact us to learn more about our women’s rehab and outpatient addiction program in Santa Barbara, CA.