Why Some Women Are More Vulnerable to Alcohol Dependency and How Society Reacts Differently

Experts reveal which personality traits may trigger alcohol addiction in women.

Casual weekend wine with friends, a solitary beer after work, then a couple more — before long, it becomes a daily habit. This pattern is often how many slide into alcohol dependency, unable to resist the constant urge for a drink.

What remains puzzling is why some people manage to stop when they notice early signs of addiction, while others continue down a slippery slope.

Moreover, society tends to harshly judge women who drink, while men often receive leniency or even sympathy.

Dr. Anna Odintsova, a psychiatrist and addiction specialist at the Republican Narcological Dispensary of Karelia, shared insights in her blog about women's susceptibility to alcoholism and associated risk factors.

"The path to addiction varies for everyone regardless of gender, but some patterns exist. Men tend to start abusing alcohol unintentionally and at a younger age, often before 25. Women, on the other hand, usually begin consciously and later, after 25," explains Dr. Odintsova.

Physiologically, alcohol impacts women more severely than men because men generally have larger livers and higher water content in their tissues, which reduces toxic effects. Additionally, men’s livers typically metabolize ethanol more efficiently.

On average, it takes men about 15-16 years to develop stage 2 alcoholism, whereas women reach this stage in approximately 9-10 years.

Which Women Are More Prone to Alcoholism?

Certain risk factors contribute to alcohol dependency in women, rooted primarily in a psychological trait called heightened emotional reactivity — a tendency to experience emotions more intensely.

"This trait itself isn’t a risk factor. It’s a normal individual characteristic, found in both men and women, though more commonly in women," says Dr. Odintsova.

Key Risk Factors for Alcoholism in Women

Lower Stress Resilience

"Women often experience stronger emotional distress from challenges at work, family, or social circles," notes the addiction specialist.

Greater Need for Love and Acceptance

"This need can lead to emotional pain from personal relationship failures. If love and acceptance were lacking in the family during childhood, the psychological trauma worsens," Dr. Odintsova explains.

Self-Doubt and Insecurity

"Culturally, boys are encouraged to try and fail, while girls often internalize failure as a personal flaw, asking 'What is wrong with me?' instead of 'What did I do wrong?'"

Women who develop dependencies often lack support systems; they may be isolated or receive criticism instead of help.

For these women, alcohol becomes a simple way to cope with difficult situations.

"Some patients say alcohol helps them forget their troubles, while others find it gives them the strength to face daily tasks," shares Dr. Odintsova.

How Alcohol Harms Women's Health

- Metabolic disturbances leading to obesity or malnutrition;

- Impaired organ function including alcoholic cardiomyopathy (heart damage), alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, gastritis, esophagitis, pancreatitis, hypertension, and nervous system damage;

- Disruption of reproductive system function.

Society’s Double Standard: Men Are Pardoned, Women Are Condemned

Women who drink often feel shame because their behavior is harshly judged by society, unlike men.

"Men who drink excessively are rarely condemned; young men who stumble are often offered sympathy and support. But women usually face condemnation: 'How can you drink? You are a (future) mother.' This stigma drives many women to hide their alcohol abuse until it spirals out of control, attracting attention from family, social services, or law enforcement, at which point intervention becomes very difficult," explains Dr. Odintsova.

The doctor advises women who feel their alcohol consumption is becoming problematic to seek help from specialists such as addiction counselors or medical psychologists. Confidential and anonymous support options are available.

Photo credit: Shutterstock/Fotodom.ru

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