Rates of alcohol abuse and its damaging effects are growing among women.
Recent studies have shown that alcohol-related deaths among women are rising at a faster rate than those among men. Additionally, researchers have seen a 240 percent increase in alcohol-induced liver disease among women, compared to a 90 percent increase for men, since the early 1990s.
During that same period, statistics showed the ratio of men to women who misuse alcohol to be 5-to-1, meaning there were five men for every one woman who abused alcohol. Today, the ratio is closer to 2-to-1, indicating there now are two men for every one woman who abuses alcohol.
We spoke with Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s Addiction Medicine Specialist Dr. Samuel Parish to better understand why women are experiencing more life-threatening effects from alcohol misuse and how to identify worrisome drinking habits.
Beginning with Biology
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggests different definitions of heavy drinking for men and women. For men, more than four drinks per day or 14 per week is considered heavy drinking. Women are considered heavy drinkers if they consume more than three drinks per day or seven per week.
Though the guidelines may seem unfair, they’re rooted in biological factors such as body fat, hormones and body water composition. “Women have higher body fat, lower total body water, and lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme involved in metabolizing alcohol, which leads to higher blood alcohol concentrations,” explains Dr. Parish.
And that’s not all. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly estrogen, can affect alcohol metabolism and sensitivity. These hormonal variations can make women more susceptible to the effects of alcohol at different times in their menstrual cycle.
When we consider the biological factors alongside changing societal views on women’s drinking, we see a distinct set of risks unique to women.
The ‘Telescoping’ Phenomenon
Dr. Parish explains that women must be vigilant and understand their risk factors.
“Women escalate from alcohol use to abuse more rapidly,” says Dr. Parish. “This is called telescoping, and rapid progression can happen at a younger age in women.”
Think of it as though you’re skipping steps as you run up the stairs. The same pattern is seen in women with other substances as well, Dr. Parish notes.
Understanding and Assessing Your Drinking Habits
Dr. Parish acknowledges that the vast majority of people who drink alcohol do not have an alcohol problem. However, he cautions against excessive consumption and recommends a tool called the CAGE questionnaire to check yourself:
Seeking Help: A Call to Action
If the CAGE questions resonated with you, reach out to your primary care doctor. Acknowledging that you might need help is not a sign of weakness but rather one of strength and self-awareness. Your health, both physical and emotional, is invaluable, and taking care of it is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Need a doctor referral? Call (843) 402-CARE.