Drugs are highly addictive and can wreak havoc with enough usage for someone from any walk of life. You can be poor or have millions of dollars, but the effect is the same. Anyone from every corner of the globe is susceptible to developing a long term substance abuse disorder when their environment encourages it enough. But between men and women, is there a significant difference in how they react to drugs and addiction?
There aren’t any definite lines between men and women’s usage of drugs as there isn’t enough research at this time. However, researchers have found certain correlations between certain drugs with men and certain symptoms with women. You don’t have to be an advanced scientist or drug expert to know about all the ways both genders experience drugs. Let’s walk through some key differences that you should know whether or not you’re a man or woman. The most important thing to remember before you start any drug is to research what its general symptoms are and the health risks that are involved. Drugs are powerful substances that can be used for good changes or could drastically damage your body over the long haul.
Substance Abuse Disorder
Men and women can react very different to drugs and take them for various reasons. If you’ve ever wondered why certain people have worse “come down” from drugs are seem to get addicted more easily than others, make sure to keep in mind of the following factors:
- Female hormones can play a large role in a woman’s response to drugs. In fact, women who do use drugs and alcohol are typically faster to become addicts. This means that it takes them a shorter period of time from their first use of a drug before developing a long term substance abuse disorder. Some experts attribute this effect to having higher levels of estrogen which is actually linked with higher rates of relapse. If a woman happens to feel stressed, she may also be more likely to abuse a drug to calm down any feelings of anxiety. Some women with higher than normal estrogen levels might be more incentives to reuse a drug if they are struggling with an imbalance with their hormones
- Women may be more likely to go to the emergency room or die from overdose or other effects of certain substances. This isn’t a certain fact, but since women have a smaller biological makeup, overall the same large dose of a drug could affect them much more drastically. The same goes for alcohol tolerance, since you can’t expect a 200-pound man and a 110 pound woman to metabolize the same amount even in a short amount of time.
- Women may be more inclined to use a drug after a traumatic experience with a loved one. Divorce, having any loss of child custody, or even the death of a partner or child can trigger women’s substance use and any other mental health disorders that they may have struggled with in the past. Men, on the other hand have been reported to use drugs to boost their social reputation, feel more adventurous or risky during experiences like a concert or a party, and escape from their reality if it’s too mundane. However, a man is less likely to quit their drug use habits than a woman when they start a family or get into a serious relationship.
- Women who use certain substances may be more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety, or depression. This is no surprise since drugs like cocaine, heroin, and marijuana which are often taken with younger woman provide this symptom as a withdrawal effect. Coupled with generally having a lower ability to metabolize the drug of their choice exaggerates these effects in women overall. As a woman, it’s imperative to keep in mind what the risks are before using any intense drug even if it’s only for one time.
- Men tend to abuse drugs and alcohol more frequently than women compared to recent studies. In fact, nearly 57.1 percent of men who participated in the study either abused or were entirely dependent on drinking alcohol compared to a lower 47.5 percent of women. Since men can process alcohol more easily than women, they are more prone to taking part in binge drinking in social events or when they’re alone at home. Men are more likely to become heavily dependent on alcohol as well throughout their lifetime and often bear the health problems of kidney failure, heart disease, and lowered immunity
Get Help For Your Substance Abuse Disorder
If you want to get help for your current substance abuse disorder or suspect that someone you know may have one, be sure to look out for the signs of someone addicted to drugs. Both men and women, especially in their younger years, are less prone to pull off being a high function addict because they are less experienced with balancing a frequent drug habit with their responsibilities. Take note of any changed behavior that strays far from their normal routine. Once you can admit you have a problem or realize the person close to you has one, contact a local treatment professional as soon as possible. As difficult it is to tell a stranger about the issue in the beginning, the benefits will far outweigh the temporarily awkward conversation. Remember that everyone’s treatment journey is different and relapses are totally normal especially in the beginning. The key is to stay consistent in sticking to treatment and dedicated to regaining complete health back so nothing bad happens. Don’t allow yourself to stay in the same state of mind, the same low level of health, and feed yourself the same misconceptions. Go out there and take action for your future!
