Alcohol affects women differently than men

  • Published
  • By Mildred M. Fitch
  • Substance Abuse Counselor
Alcohol affects women differently than men due to their body makeup and chemistry. A woman's body has more fat and less water than a man's. Therefore, when a woman drinks, the alcohol is less diluted and becomes more highly concentrated in her blood.
   Since women process less alcohol in the stomach than men, they can become intoxicated more easily than men.
   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 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. It can also make a woman more vulnerable to violence, including sexual assault and sexually transmitted diseases.
   Additionally, unplanned pregnancies are more common for women who drink.
   During pregnancy, consumption of alcohol is not recommended because 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.
   Of great concern is that a fetus can be harmed by even a small amount of alcohol and can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
   A fetal alcohol spectrum disorder 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 or learning disabilities, with possible lifelong implications. No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.
   Additionally, for mothers who are nursing, alcohol use is discouraged as the alcohol can pass through breast milk to the baby.
   In the United States: two in five women drink alcohol; 4 million women are heavy drinkers; 2.5 million women are alcohol-dependent and one in 10 pregnant women drinks alcohol. Women should carefully consider the risks when deciding whether or not to drink and how much. If the choice is to drink, it should be in moderation.
   With appropriate prevention, treatment and other support services, a woman can have the opportunity for a fulfilling life that includes a healthy pregnancy, healthy children, a job/career, a home and meaningful relationships with family and friends.
   Help is available at the Tinker Alcohol Drug Abuse and Prevention Treatment Office. For more information, call the office at 739-7141 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
   Additional information about women and intoxication is available at www.samsha.gov.