Alcohol consumption among women has increased dramatically in the last decade. Historically, men have had more severe drinking patterns and therefore, even more medical consequences of unhealthy alcohol use compared to women. However, this gender gap is narrowing due to changes in socio-cultural environments that affect drinking patterns and normalize women’s drinking. Although these social changes are largely positive, such as the higher number of women in the workforce, women have been disproportionately affected by the increase in alcohol use.
For example, according to experts, women (at a young age) are increasing the number of deaths from liver disease - alcohol-related. The largest increase in deaths from alcohol-related liver disease was in women aged 25-34 years. Moreover, women die from liver disease on average about 2-3 years earlier than men, based on a 2020 study. The lifetime prevalence of drinking and alcohol dependence is growing at a faster rate for women than men.
The frequency of alcohol use among women has also been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Women reported higher levels of pandemic-related changes in sleep, mood, habits, and stress — compared to men. A study by RAND Corporation noted that psychological distress from pandemics is directly related to alcohol use; Alcohol consumption days have increased by over 41% for women since pre-pandemic.
Researchers suggest that women experience a phenomenon known as telescopy, which means that there is a faster time frame from the start of substance use to the dependence on that substance. Women may have an accelerated pathway to medical and psychosocial problems, even though they may have consumed less alcohol in general and for a shorter period of time compared to men.
Consequences of unhealthy alcohol use by women
The consequences of unhealthy alcohol use can be devastating. In 2016, 3 million deaths or 5.3% of all global deaths were attributed to alcohol. Excessive alcohol use can cause a host of health problems; over 48% of all deaths from liver cirrhosis are related to alcohol-related liver diseases. Other medical consequences of heavy alcohol use include heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. The psychiatric consequences of unhealthy alcohol use are also prevalent, including depression, anxiety, accelerated memory problems, and the risk of dementia.
Source: Psychology Today
