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Alcoholism and Women
Alcoholism and Women Women who drink heavily face greater health risks than men who drink heavily. They are more prone to liver disease, heart damage, and brain damage. Studies show that women with alcoholism are up to twice as likely as men to die from alcohol-related causes such as suicide, accidents, and illnesses. Alcohol can cause other problems for women. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to menstrual problems, infertility, and early menopause. Drinking during adolescence can interfere with puberty, growth, and bone health. Heavy drinking can make a woman more vulnerable to violence, including sexual assault. Women who drink are also more likely to have unprotected sex and contract a sexually transmitted disease. Alcohol affects women differently than men due to their body makeup and chemistry:
Alcohol is a teratogen, a substance that can harm a fetus. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the alcohol crosses the placental barrier and enters the bloodstream of the fetus. The alcohol content in the blood of the fetus then equals or exceeds that of the mother. Pregnant women and women planning to get pregnant should not drink. Pregnant women who are drinking should stop at once to reduce the risk of harming their fetus. Alcohol can harm a fetus at any time, even before a woman knows she’s pregnant. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking for women as drinking 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours. Binge drinking is harmful for anyone, but it can be especially harmful to the health of a pregnant woman and her baby. Currently, 1 in 25 pregnant women engages in binge drinking. Women who are nursing also should not drink. Alcohol can pass through breast milk to the baby. No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy or nursing. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual who was prenatally exposed to alcohol. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis. It includes conditions such as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), alcohol-related neuro-developmental disorder (ARND), and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD). Each year, at least 40,000 babies are born with an FASD, costing the Nation up to $6 billion. Moderate Drinking Women who choose to drink should do so in moderation. That means no more than one drink per day. Drinking more than that can harm health and increase the probability of alcoholism and women. A standard drink equals:
Standard drinks also include wine coolers, aperitifs, and fortified wines.
Women should carefully consider the risks when deciding whether or not to drink and how much. Some women share alcohol with their spouse or partner and drink the same amount. This is a problem because alcohol affects women in more harmful ways than it affects men. Conclusion: Alcoholism and Women There are a lot of reasons women should control their drinking. Protecting their children from FASD is at the top of the list. For many women, it’s difficult to do alone. Help is available. With appropriate prevention, treatment, and other support services, a woman can have an opportunity for a fulfilling life that includes a healthy pregnancy, healthy children, a job, a home, and meaningful relationships with family and friends. Resources For more information on alcoholism and women, see these resources:
Source: Department of Health and Human Services, “Effects of Alcohol on Women,” Publication No. (SMA) 06–4244, Printed 2007, http://www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov/documents/WYNK_Effects_Women.pdf
Related InformationAlcoholism and MarriageFetal Alcohol Syndrome Women vs. Men: Effects of Drinking
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