Women and Substance Abuse (Why) Essay - 941 Words

Chapter 14 and the DSM IV defines substance abuse as â€Å"a maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances† (Ashman, 4th edition 2013, pg. 442). When researching my paper I decided to find the differences, if any, between women and male substance abusers. While researching for the ERA capstone project we did for human services, I found that causes of addiction in women was due to poverty, abuse, lack of resources and other reasons that all can be contributed to inequality of women in our society. The main reason women become addicted is due to self-medicating. I had a range of questions I began asking myself, and decided to do more research. Then I†¦show more content†¦This goes back to the theory that most women turn to substances for self-medicating purposes due to unresolved traumas or events in their lives. Women’s addiction is also different because women not only self-medicate because of traumatic events, but also to function as a working mother/woman in a fast paced world. According to, â€Å"The DASIS Report (May 2005)† women were less likely than men to detoxify. One reason is because they are in denial and try to rationalize their substance abuse. So they are less likely to seek help unless it is court ordered because children were involved. SAMSHA, stated that as of 2008, 1/3 of the population being treated for substance abuse were women. According to SAMSHA’s November/December 2008 Newsletter, 6.9 million women are not receiving treatment. Approximately, 94% feel they do not need treatment. This has been a drastic increase over the past 10years. SAMSHA also revealed that women have more barriers when seeking treatment such as, young children, poverty, low-income, stigmatization and have the inability to pay for treatment. This goes back to pay in-equality and the Equal Rights Amendment. According to SAMSHA, studies have estimated that between 5 and 35 percent of women receiving Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) have a substance abuse problem that can impede their ability to work. SAMSHA also states, that if appropriate treatment is not received, su bstance abusing women are extremely limited when it comes toShow MoreRelatedSubstance Abuse And Domestic Violence Essay1670 Words   |  7 PagesIn this paper I will be addressing the correlation that is between substance abuse and domestic violence. There are many factors that play a role in why domestic violence occurs in a home; this paper will be focusing on the factor of drug abuse in particularly. Early on in the course we learned that domestic violence does not only pertain to intimate partner violence but also to child abuse, elder abuse, and any other abuse of a person that occurs with inside the home. I will be providing researchRead MoreSubstance Abuse And Its Effects1707 Words   |  7 PagesAccording to Dictionary.com, substance abuse is defined as a â€Å"long-term, pathological use of alcohol or drugs, characterized by daily intoxication, inability to reduce consumption, and impairment in social or occupational functioning; broadly, alcohol or drug addiction (dicti onary.com).† Substance use can include anything from alcohol to any variety of drugs, prescription or illicit. Responsible alcohol use is considered being no more than 3 drinks for a woman and no more than 5 for a man in aRead MoreMany Women Across The World Cause Complications To Their1657 Words   |  7 PagesMany women across the world cause complications to their unborn child when they choose to abuse substance. There are many types of substance abuse such as alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse. Most likely when women choose to engage in these types of activities it causes harm to the child and birth defects. Long term and short term deformities and conditions are present in the child. Other factors play a part into why women abuse, substance such as stress, depression, and mental issues. More treatmentRead MoreForensic Psychology And Crime And Substance Abuse847 Words   |  4 Pagespsychology is a solid reference to crime and substance abuse. Criminal behavior is an ev il thought however substance abuse is a disease. One will certainly need a better understanding to an individual’s crime that would cause one to commit them. Did the drugs make him/her do it? Psychology, biology, and criminology fall within the evolution in forensic psychology. Race, sex, and poverty plays a pivotal role when a crime is committed within a specific group such as women, or men. In addition the behavior ofRead MoreSubstance Abuse During The 20th Century1422 Words   |  6 Pages Substance Abuse in Women Description of the Group Towards the end of the 20th century, most of the studies focusing on substance abuse focused on the needs of men. This means that the percentage of women affected by substance abuse remained unknown for several decades. In the recent past, studies have been done to analyze the psychological, health, and economic challenges affecting women who abuse different substances (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2015). This marginalized groupRead MoreTrauma And Substance Abuse : A Literature Review1023 Words   |  5 PagesTrauma-Informed Approaches to Substance Abuse Issues in Women: A Literature Review Ashley M. Mosgrove Simmons College Introduction The purpose of this literature review is to explore trauma-informed approaches to substance abuse interventions and to identify gaps in the literature that would benefit from further research in this area. Trauma and Substance Abuse Trauma can be defined as an event or experience that hinders an individual’s ability to cope (Covington, 2008). These experiencesRead More Eating Disorders And Substance Abuse Essay1636 Words   |  7 PagesEating Disorders And Substance Abuse Common Eating Disorders: The two most common eating disorders are bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. Both disorders, primarily affect young women, therefore the majority of the research on eating disorders has been done with women subjects. The onset of bulimia is between adolescence and early adulthood while the onset of anorexia is between early and late adolescence. Not only is the onset different but the disorders are unique. Bulimia nervosa isRead MoreSubstance Abuse - Social Pandemic1653 Words   |  7 Pagescontinues, substance abuse across America has become a very serious social problem. It is mental illness that has an effect on different races, classes and genders. The affects of substance abuse has caused countless of people to feel heartache and develop feelings of hopelessness. With alcohol and drugs readily available through prescription or on the streets (Butler,2010), it is obvious why many are acquiring addictive patterns to these accessible substances, and that the continual abuse o f theseRead MoreAddicted To Drugs Essay1071 Words   |  5 PagesAddicted to Drugs: Should we Charge Mothers with Child Abuse? In the United States we have been facing an epidemic with opioid use and addiction. According to The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the rate of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) have increased from 7 cases per 1,000 admissions in 2004 to 27 cases per 1,000 admissions in 2013. NAS is a syndrome that happens when a baby is exposed to drugs in the womb. To go alongRead MoreHow Substance Abuse Negatively Affects The Baby While During1328 Words   |  6 PagesHow substance abuse negatively affects the baby while during a woman’s pregnancy. Many women across the world cause complications to their unborn child when they choose to abuse substance. There are many types of substance abuse such as alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse. Most likely when women choose to engage in these types of activities it causes harm to the child and birth defects. Long term and short term deformities and conditions are present in the child. Other factors play a part into why