addiction/substance abuse defined
Addiction and substance abuse of alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs are not the same things, but they are closely related.
- Addiction is the compulsive use of a substance regardless of the consequences to yourself or others.
- Substance Abuse is the overuse of a substance or using it in the wrong way, such as drinking to blackout or using prescription medication for something other than what is prescribed.
While addiction and substance abuse can have detrimental effects, not everyone who abuses substances develops an addiction, but it can be a precursor to becoming addicted.
why women face addiction and substance abuse disorders
There are numerous factors that may increase your risk of addiction or substance abuse. The age at which you began drinking or doing drugs, your family history, or the environment you grew up in can all contribute to mental health issues and substance abuse.
Additional factors can include:
- Co-occurring mental health conditions: Women living with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or PTSD tend to develop an addiction or substance abuse disorder as a way to cope.
- Domestic violence: Addiction or substance abuse is common with victims and survivors of violence.
- Sexual assault: According to the United States Department of Justice, sexual assault is “any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient.” Regardless of what age a sexual assault occurs, the increased use of substances as a coping mechanism is very high. In addition, many women who experience sexual assault are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which can also contribute to substance abuse and addiction.
- Domestic partner relationships: Infidelity. Infertility. Divorce. These are just a few challenges many women face in their relationships with their domestic partners. Substance abuse as a form of self-medicating is common.
- Race and ethnicity: Women of color face even more challenges as they are more likely to be victims of physical violence and rape in their lifetime than women of other racial and ethnic groups, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. In addition, women of color are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing discrimination that can influence substance abuse. To compound the problem, they are less likely to seek help from a mental health care provider.
If your substance abuse or addiction has reached the point where you can’t take it anymore, getting help from a qualified mental health professional can begin to help you conquer your substance abuse challenges and the underlying mental health issues that may be linked to them.
