WOMEN AND ALCOHOLISM

Alcoholism as common trend in our immediate environment is a pattern of drinking that is harmful. It’s the intake of toxic substance which totally or partially alters the human system. It’s been generally observed that alcoholism is based in the brain and its short term effects are what courses someone to fell high, relaxed or sleepy after drinking. Since alcohol effects vary form human to human depending on their body structure. Its long term effect can change the way the brain reacts so that the urge to drink can be as compelling as the hunger for food. Both a person’s genetic make up and his/her environment contributes to the risk involved. This may reign from loss of control i.e. inability to stop drinking once a person as started, a strong need or compulsion to drink, physical independence and tolerance cum the need for increasing amount of alcohol to get ‘high’.

Nonetheless, both genders are known to take alcohol but a low-level of drinking is recommended for women than for men. This is not unconnected with the fact that women are at greater risks than men for developing alcohol related problems. This toxic substance passes through the digestive tract and is dispersed in the water in the human system. The more water available, the more diluted the alcohol. Since women have less water in their bodies than men, then a woman’s brain is exposed to more alcohol and large amount of toxic by products that results when the body breaks down.

However, moderate drinking in human may be beneficial as well as risky for women. Alcohol even small amounts affect women differently than men. More so, this style of intake may lower the risk for coronary heart disease, mainly in women over 55years. There are other factors that reduce the risk of heart disease which includes healthy diets, exercise, not smoking and keeping a healthy body weight.

Medically, alcohol is said to reduce the effectiveness of some medications and prescription. It can combine with other medications to cause or increase side effects. In particular, it can increase the sedative effects of any medication that causes drowsing, cough, cold and drugs for anxiety and depression.

Research suggests that as little as one drink per day can slightly raise the risk of breast cancer in some women. Drinking by a pregnant woman can harm the unborn child. To reduce or totally curb such effects, it is imperative for pregnant women to stop drinking if engaged in such acts before, as doing so can reduce the chances of the child being harmed by alcohol. Considering the brain, most alcoholics have some loss of mental functions, reduced brain size and changes in the function of brain cells. Research suggests that women are more vulnerable than men to alcohol induced brain damage.

Alcohol increases sexual arousal and desire in women, although it does lower the psychological signs of arousal. Women have different responses to alcoholic intoxication. Studies have shown that acute alcohol consumption tends to cause increased level of testerone and astradiol. Since testerone controls part of the libido in women, this tends to cause an increase in interest in sex.

Concurrently, research suggests that women who have troubles with their closest relationship tend to drink more than other women. Heavy drinking is more common among women who have never married, are living unmarried with partner or are divorced or separated. A woman whose husband is drinks heavily is more likely than other women to drink too much. Women who suffered childhood sexual abuse are more likely to have drinking problems too. 

Young women under age 21 should not drink. Among the most important things parent can do is to talk frankly with their daughters about the damage alcohol will do in their body system if taken. Treatments of alcoholic problems depend on its severity. Women with alcoholic problems but who are not yet dependent may be able to stop or reduce the drinking with normal help. Health care provider can help a woman to take good look at what effect alcohol is having on her life and give advice on ways to stop drinking or cut it down.