Men and women are different at many things. They sometimes think differently, act differently, and they even feel things differently. However, every woman is different as well, just like every man handles his alcohol differently.
Women are usually considered to be more emotional than men. Yet, they also have a higher threshold of pain than men (pregnancy, anyone?).
So, how do women handle alcohol differently than men? And do they fall prey to alcoholism easier? You may be surprised at the answers.
Women and Alcohol
Women who consume the same amount of alcohol as a man remotely the same height and weight will still likely get drunk faster than the man will. There have been studies done that prove women process alcohol differently than men do.
Men’s bodies break down alcohol better than women’s. They also have less body fat than women and more blood volume, which helps the body with the task of dealing with consumed alcohol.
To get technical, dehydrogenase is an enzyme that breaks down alcohol when it goes into the blood stream, and it appears guys have more of this stuff than women do.
Plus, the way even a single woman processes alcohol can fluctuate because of hormones.
What Alcohol Does To Women
Other studies have shown that women are risking many more health issues than men when they consume alcohol. Because of the different way their body handles and processes it they open themselves up to higher risk of liver disease, high blood pressure, and a weak heart.
Since women get drunk faster too much alcohol can quickly lead to indiscretions as well.
Women and Alcoholism
There are alcohol treatment centers for women that work to help women with their special set of issues when it comes to alcohol abuse. Since men and women differ in this illness it makes sense that they deserve different treatments.
Treatment for women will help them with issues that most male alcoholics don’t experience, like lowered self-esteem. Just like with men, alcoholism can put their relationships, marriage, work and family at risk as well.
While men seem to be more prone to alcohol consumption than women, the rate of women alcoholics has been increasing, which is causes a need for more studies on the effects of alcohol on women.
The Solution
The first step is admitting that you have a problem with alcohol. The second step is getting treatment. Through treatment alcoholics can learn to love themselves again, and to live without alcohol. It will take one day at a time.
It’s important for both men and women to know that even a small amount of alcohol has adverse effects on the body. Even drinking for fun can lead to alcoholism. But there is help out there.
Not everyone that drinks will become an alcoholic or get liver disease. However, are a few nights of fun a week worth the risk? For some it seems to be, but for others maybe there is a chance to find out that you can have just as much fun sober.
