Did you know that women are the fastest-growing population of alcohol users? This is problematic because women struggling with alcoholism may eventually experience many adverse effects of drinking too much, such as the increased risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and liver damage. It’s not only physical health that’s at risk when a woman becomes an alcoholic. They’re also at an increased risk of being victims of sexual assault and other crimes. That’s why it’s crucial to get alcoholic women the professional help they need. Maybe you or someone you care about is an alcoholic woman. Whatever your relationship is with an alcoholic, remember that professional help addiction can be life-saving.
If you’re looking for a women’s rehab center in Kentucky, contact our Kentucky rehab today. Our team proudly provides a women’s rehab program for those ready to leave alcohol addiction behind. Learn more about how to help a woman alcoholic in your life when you call (888) 771-8718 or reach out to us online.
What Are the Signs of Alcohol Addiction?
Alcoholism is a diagnosable condition. An alcoholic woman can be diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder if she displays some of the common symptoms of alcohol overuse.
Some of these signs include:
- Becoming more tolerant to alcohol – Over time, the body adjusts to the amount of alcohol that is consumed.
- Continuing to drink even though alcohol is causing problems in her life – Alcoholics prioritize drinking over everything else and won’t quit drinking even if it causes problems.
- Drinking in dangerous situations, such as before driving – Women are less likely to drive after drinking but could do so due to impaired judgment.
- Drinking in the morning to relieve a hangover – Physical alcohol dependence can cause withdrawal symptoms to arise in the mornings, including taking a drink to “steady her nerves.”
- Drinking more or for longer than planned – Women who are problem drinkers often set limits on how much alcohol they plan to consume or how long they plan to drink, but due to addiction, this setting of boundaries becomes difficult or impossible.
- Getting into legal trouble – Legal problems are not really part of the diagnostic criteria; however, they could be worth looking into, especially unexpected ones.
- Inability to cut down or control alcohol consumption – Many women with alcoholism truly want to stop drinking, but addiction causes changes in the brain that can reduce impulse control and cloud judgment.
- Neglecting responsibilities – Alcohol can impair coordination and judgment and interfere with duties.
Why Do Women Become Alcoholics?
If you’re related to or dating an alcoholic woman, you likely have significant insight into her life. If you’re wondering why she’s struggling with alcoholism, then you may not know her alcoholic woman story as well as you think you do.
Some of the reasons women are at a higher risk of developing an addiction include:
- A family history of alcohol problems can be a risk factor for drinking
- Mental health disorders can make a woman more likely to drink
- Relationship status can affect an adult woman’s drinking habits
- Some women drink alcohol to manage stress
- Today’s women stay single longer and focus on their careers
Health Risks Unique to Women with Alcohol Addiction
Research shows that women face distinct health risks due to alcohol abuse, impacting both physical and mental health in unique ways. Women metabolize alcohol differently, making them more susceptible to liver disease, cognitive impairments, and cardiovascular issues even with lower levels of consumption. Additionally, alcohol can worsen hormone-related health conditions in women, adding further health risks.
How Alcohol Affects Mental Health in Women
Alcohol has a particularly strong impact on women’s mental health, often worsening issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. Many women end up using alcohol as a form of self-medication, hoping to ease stress or sadness, but this can quickly turn into a harmful cycle. Alcohol may provide temporary relief, but it disrupts the brain’s ability to manage mood naturally, which can actually heighten anxiety and make depressive symptoms even worse. Over time, what started as a way to cope can lead to greater dependency and more mental health struggles.
For women who have been through trauma, alcohol can feel like a way to numb painful memories or distress, but it often blocks the brain from fully processing those experiences, making recovery from trauma harder in the long run. With alcohol also impacting sleep and clear thinking, women might feel more irritable, overwhelmed, and struggle to keep up with daily life, all of which can deepen the mental health challenges they’re facing. Recognizing how alcohol and mental health are tied together is essential in treatment, as it helps women move past dependency with healthier ways to cope and restore emotional balance.
Benefits of Gender-Specific Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Gender-specific alcohol addiction treatment offers a supportive environment that recognizes the unique experiences women face in addiction and recovery. For many women, a treatment setting with other women fosters a sense of safety and comfort, allowing them to open up about sensitive issues, such as trauma or domestic abuse, that might be difficult to discuss in mixed-gender groups. This approach also addresses physical health risks specific to women, like increased vulnerability to liver disease and certain cancers due to alcohol use, and provides specialized care for these conditions within the context of recovery.
Women’s addiction treatment often incorporates trauma-informed care and counseling that focus on emotional and relational issues, such as family dynamics, self-esteem, and the pressures of balancing career and family. This focus enables women to work through underlying emotional pain that can be a significant driver of addiction, helping them build resilience in a space where their experiences are deeply understood. Gender-specific treatment also offers practical skills training for navigating common stressors women face, from managing family responsibilities to career-related challenges, enhancing relapse prevention, and preparing them for life beyond treatment. By providing a strong community of women in recovery, these programs allow participants to support each other through shared struggles, fostering empowerment and mutual encouragement.
Learn More About Our Kentucky Rehab’s Women’s Rehab Center
When considering a women’s rehab center in Kentucky, our Kentucky rehab might be the perfect place for healing from addiction. Contact our Kentucky rehab today by calling (888) 771-8718 or reaching out to our team online.