Substance Abuse Disorder, or SUD, is one of the most misunderstood mental health problems that exist. This mental health problem is often seen as a form of deviant behaviour. This notion has managed to destroy countless lives of people as they have been shunned by society and not given any help.
Things become challenging when the person in question is a woman. The problem evolves and becomes more than an ailment—it has become a topic of gossip. Worse, the woman in question will not be offered help. Instead, she will be shunned by society on different grounds.
So, let’s see how women are affected by substance abuse disorders and how they can get help.
Substance Abuse as A Disease
Substance use disorder is a compulsive behaviour problem that pushes a person towards using substances. A person suffering from SUD will often choose addiction and high over anything. This can affect the quality of the individual’s life and even make a person violent and dangerous.
Most substance abuse cases begin with simple ‘experimentation.’ However, this eventually becomes a snowball rolling down a hill, and fun becomes necessary. In fact, in extreme cases, subjects can go to any lengths to get hold of illicit substances, like crime, prostitution, etc.
SUD is a spectrum that cannot be studied linearly. You need to understand the overall concept in a broader sense. This means you need to understand what compels a person towards addiction and substance abuse as a whole.
SUD is a mental ailment that has some potent signs. These signs are like cautionary signals that allow people to understand if a person needs help or not:
- The dosage of recreational substances has consistently become more prominent over time.
- Long periods of being clean often trigger withdrawal in the subject.
- Failure to quit substance abuse even after trying.
- Spending a considerable amount of time in sourcing and procuring drugs.
- Giving up social and familial commitments to pursue high.
- Including substances as part of the monthly budget.
Signs of substance addiction generally differ a lot from one person to another. Therefore, you cannot stereotype a person based on his behavior. However, these were some of the most common signs of SUD.
Common Causes of Substance Abuse in Women
One of the biggest problems in handling SUD in women is how the programs are formulated. In most cases, the programs are formulated from a male perspective. This means doctors discredit the different physiology of women and generalize treatment.
Thankfully, the narrative is changing little by little, and the misogynistic approach is finally coming to an end. Here are some of the most identified causes that push women toward addiction:
- Stress: One of the biggest catalysts of addiction in women is stress. Many women use substances to dampen the sharpness of stress.
- Mental Health problems: Another cause that can push a person towards dependency is mental health issues and the attempt to self-medicate. As a result, it is one of the most significant connection points between women and substance abuse. Traumatic Experiences: Finally, many women resort to substances to manage their traumatic experiences. In other words, using substances to forget harrowing experience(s) they might have faced.
How Does Substance Addiction Affect Women Differently
The overall addiction demography shows that men are more consistent when it comes to using substances. Still, let us tell you that women are just as susceptible to developing SUD as men. Women might face problems in conceiving or become completely infertile. This is one of the most prominent effects of substance abuse in women.
Women who use substances also run a higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems. This means women who use substances daily can run the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. Subsequently, prolonged substance abuse can even affect pregnancy.
How To Help Women Affected by Substance Abuse Habits?
Just as the effects of substance abuse differ from one person to another, in a similar manner, the treatment might also vary. Here are some of the prominent ways a woman with an addiction problem can be helped.
- Medical Care includes gynaecological care, family planning, and mental health care. These could involve medicated care or counseling at the same time.
- AA meeting: AA meetings are beneficial when it comes to helping people suffering from SUD. These meetings give space for people to discuss their ordeal. This is great for mental reinforcement.
- Developing Hobbies: Specialised care where new hobbies are introduced to SUD patients can also help people suffering from the problem.
The Final Thought
A person suffering from SUD is not a deviant. Hence, it is high time that people changed the given narrative and turned it into a new chapter. Therefore, if you are in a similar boat or know someone who is, then the above pointers might come in handy.
