The United States is experiencing a rapid rise in alcoholism. Alcohol is often used to relax and be more social. Women drink to escape the monotony of their daily lives. Women are drinking more than ever, and this has resulted in increased arrests for women who have been critically intoxicated. Is alcohol rehab effective?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 15,1 million adults – 9.8 millions men and 5.3million women – had an alcohol use disorder. It is clear that women will happily toast a drink every now and again.

Women are at greater risk than men of alcohol-related problems, such as interpersonal violence or alcohol-related accidents. Women who drink heavily are more likely to suffer from physical and mental problems, including liver damage, brain injury, breast cancer, and mental illness.

Why is the body of a woman more susceptible to alcohol’s effects?

Men and women process alcohol at different rates. The male body is able to process alcohol more quickly than the female body. Women are more susceptible to alcohol’s physical and psychological effects due to a number of biological factors. These factors include:

Body fat percentages that are high

Since women have more fat tissue in their body, they feel drunker for longer. Women are more susceptible to alcohol-related issues, such as depression and anxiety. This is because fat can retain alcohol.

Alcohol metabolism enzymes are reduced

The two enzymes responsible for metabolizing alcohol after it has entered the body are aldehyde and alcohol dehydrogenase. Women have lower enzyme levels than men and therefore their bodies tend to absorb alcohol in greater amounts.

Hormonal Changes

Women’s hormonal fluctuations, due specifically to their menstrual cycles, can affect how alcohol is broken down in the stomach and liver.

Sexual and physical abuse is more likely to occur when you are vulnerable.

The abuse of women, both sexual and physical, increases their risk to become dependent on alcohol.