People often say everything happens for a reason. Discovering and tackling why you turn to substances can be helpful. After all, getting to the root causes of substance abuse is vital to finding a lasting solution.
If you’re a young woman aged 18 to 30 and struggling to escape the negative impacts of addiction, there are many available treatment methods. Contact The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® today at 828.518.6941 to learn more about our women’s substance abuse treatment in North Carolina.
What Are the Differences Between Substance Abuse in Women and Men?
Although substance abuse affects both men and women, the reasons and triggers can differ. For women, biological factors significantly influence substance abuse. Women generally have more body fat and less water, so substances are metabolized differently, often causing more intense or prolonged effects. Hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause also impact substance reactions in women.
Social and psychological factors in substance abuse also vary between genders. Women often face unique societal pressures and emotional stressors, like caregiving responsibilities and gender-based violence or discrimination, which shape their substance use patterns. Additionally, women are more likely to experience mental health challenges like anxiety or depression alongside substance abuse.
5 Causes of Alcohol or Drug Addiction in Women
1. Stressful Lifestyle
Work and school are standard parts of life for many people. However, they’re also a factor that causes women to turn to alcohol and drug use. The satisfaction of receiving short-term relief can motivate people to use these substances continuously. The stress from academic pressure might motivate young adult women to seek temporary relief in drugs or alcohol.
2. Mental Health Issues
Anxiety and depression are common challenges that many women face, often leading them to self-medicate. While it might seem like a quick fix, it can worsen things in the long run. If you’re navigating these feelings and want to avoid addiction, it’s essential to steer clear of self-medicating. Instead, consider reaching out to a mental health provider who can offer the support and guidance you need.
3. Traumatic Experiences
Women who suffer from trauma are likely to use drugs. Some situations can include domestic violence, accidents, and physical or sexual abuse. Women who are victims of such traumatic experiences might also suffer from other mental health issues—with some even dealing with suicidal ideation.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988. For additional support, you can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656-4673.
4. Peer Pressure
Women in high school and college are more prone to peer pressure. This is where girls usually build their self-esteem by satisfying their social needs and belongingness. As others engage in substance abuse, women with the desire to fit in might participate in alcohol and drug use as well.
5. Coping Issues
Sometimes, there are situations in life that are too stressful to handle. Stressful experiences like the death of a loved one, breakup, accidents, and illness in the family can feel hard to face.
For most, stress and depression will only last for a few weeks until they can cope with the experience. However, this is not how it works for some. Some people feel that negative emotions stay and that they will never feel happy again. In such cases, many seek an escape through self-medication, which eventually can lead to addiction.
How to Help Women Struggling with Substance Abuse
While men might turn to substances for fun or socializing, women often use alcohol and drugs as a way to cope with challenges. However, there are healthier ways to handle these struggles without resorting to self-medication. If you or a woman in your life is not coping well with the problems of daily life, consider:
- Joining support groups
- Practicing stress management
- Developing healthy habits
- Engaging in recreational activities
- Improving communication and expressing emotions
Seeking professional help to overcome substance abuse can also improve the quality of life of the person struggling—more than any of these healthy coping skills.
At The Willows, we’ve created a welcoming, women-only environment where healing is possible. Our substance abuse treatment program is designed specifically for women looking for a fresh start.
Contact The Willows to Get Started on Overcoming Substance Abuse
The causes of substance abuse are also associated with relapse triggers after treatment. So, it’s essential to regain independence from these causes and equip yourself with the coping skills to move forward. Contact our team online or call 828.518.6941 today to start on the path to long-term recovery.
