Alcohol abuse in women
Increasing alcohol abuse in women
Alcohol abuse in women is growing at an alarming rate, especially among higher educated women. In recent years, problematic alcohol use has increased by almost 50 %, a trend that is expected to continue. The causes are biological as well as social. Alcohol has a different effect on women than on men. Women react more quickly and more strongly to alcohol. Generally, women weigh less and have a higher fat percentage than men. When alcohol is consumed in large quantities, it is absorbed by the body fat ‘To make matters worse, women produce fewer enzymes that break down alcohol.
Women at risk of alcohol addiction
Many women combine work and family, which puts them under a lot of pressure. You want to do well at work; you want to be a good mother and a fun partner. You try to make time for exercising, seeing your friends and you find that your parents need more care and attention. Many women tend to be there for others but forget about themselves.
Shame and guilt
Many women are ashamed and feel guilty about their alcohol abuse, which prevents them from getting help for their problems. These feelings are intensified by the fact that women with an alcohol problem are judged more harshly than their male counterparts. Mothers in particular suffer for an unnecessarily long time, experience problems in their relationship and suffer from depression more often.
Special programme for women with alcohol addiction
SolutionS has developed a special programme for women with an alcohol addiction. SolutionS understands the factors and circumstances that lead to alcohol addiction and knows which treatment works best.
Talking and sharing experiences
Involving the family in the process is one of the cornerstones of the treatment. Sharing experiences with other women as an inpatient or an outpatient can be a tremendous help. Some of our qualified counsellors have a history of addiction in combination with motherhood and a stressful job themselves. They know the problems first-hand and are the best-placed persons to share with.