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Why Women Seek Treatment
May 6th, 2013 / Recovery / Betty Ford Institute
Eighty-five percent of individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) never seek treatment for their alcohol problems. Women in particular experience barriers to seeking treatment as compared to men. Influences such as less support from family and friends, unemployment, finances, family responsibilities, and increased stigma and social disapproval may lead women to delay seeking help for drinking problems. The aims of this study were to examine and analyze factors surrounding women’s motivations to seek outpatient alcohol treatment. Participants were 180 women with AUDs participating in a...
May 6th, 2013 / Recovery / Betty Ford Institute
Eighty-five percent of individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) never seek treatment for their alcohol problems. Women in particular experience barriers to seeking treatment as compared to men. Influences such as less support from family and friends, unemployment, finances, family responsibilities, and increased stigma and social disapproval may lead women to delay seeking help for drinking problems. The aims of this study were to examine and analyze factors surrounding women’s motivations to seek outpatient alcohol treatment. Participants were 180 women with AUDs participating in a...
AA Not Just for Men Anymore
January 10th, 2013 / Recovery / Betty Ford Institute
In the past, the appropriateness of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for women has been questioned. Now this once-seen-as-a-male-dominated organization is one third female. Yet it remained unclear whether a program derived from success with male alcoholics would be open and effective for women. Current studies have found that women participate at least as much as men and benefit equally from AA. Still, it is uncertain whether women benefit from AA in the same or different ways than men. This study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers examined whether the mechanisms through which AA...
January 10th, 2013 / Recovery / Betty Ford Institute
In the past, the appropriateness of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for women has been questioned. Now this once-seen-as-a-male-dominated organization is one third female. Yet it remained unclear whether a program derived from success with male alcoholics would be open and effective for women. Current studies have found that women participate at least as much as men and benefit equally from AA. Still, it is uncertain whether women benefit from AA in the same or different ways than men. This study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers examined whether the mechanisms through which AA...
Drinking by Moms May Mean Bad Behavior Babies
September 26th, 2012 / Children / Betty Ford Institute
One in every eight women report consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Earlier studies have shown that prenatal alcohol consumption is associated with behavioral difficulties in children, including conduct and attention problems. Animal research has found that moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy is associated with irritability, attention problems, and poor neurological functioning in offspring. This study examined the effect of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy on infant behavioral outcomes and birth weight, and investigated differential susceptibility to these effects. The...
September 26th, 2012 / Children / Betty Ford Institute
One in every eight women report consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Earlier studies have shown that prenatal alcohol consumption is associated with behavioral difficulties in children, including conduct and attention problems. Animal research has found that moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy is associated with irritability, attention problems, and poor neurological functioning in offspring. This study examined the effect of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy on infant behavioral outcomes and birth weight, and investigated differential susceptibility to these effects. The...
Phone-based Continuing Care Gets Mixed Results
December 7th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
A recent study looked at 24 month outcomes when treatment includes 18 months of follow-up telephone counseling. Alcohol dependent patients (252) - half of which were also cocaine dependent - completed 3 months of intensive outpatient treatment. Participants were then randomly placed in three groups: treatment as usual (TAU), TAU plus telephone monitoring and feedback (TM), or TAU plus telephone monitoring and feedback plus counseling (TMC). TM participants received brief phone calls for up to 18 months (5-10 minute calls for 8 weeks, every other week for 10 months, and once per...
December 7th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
A recent study looked at 24 month outcomes when treatment includes 18 months of follow-up telephone counseling. Alcohol dependent patients (252) - half of which were also cocaine dependent - completed 3 months of intensive outpatient treatment. Participants were then randomly placed in three groups: treatment as usual (TAU), TAU plus telephone monitoring and feedback (TM), or TAU plus telephone monitoring and feedback plus counseling (TMC). TM participants received brief phone calls for up to 18 months (5-10 minute calls for 8 weeks, every other week for 10 months, and once per...
Women Only versus Mixed Group Treatment
June 2nd, 2011 / Families / Betty Ford Institute
Five percent of US pregnant women use illicit drugs. Substance-abusing pregnant and/or parenting women have great need for medical, mental health, and other social support services. Studies show that, compared with substance-abusing men, women are more likely to have psychiatric problems, lower self-esteem, and histories of traumatic abuse events. Most of these women have limited education, are unemployed, and rely on public assistance and/or crime as sources of income. Treatment can change their lives by promoting family unification and long-term recovery. This UCLA study looked at...
June 2nd, 2011 / Families / Betty Ford Institute
Five percent of US pregnant women use illicit drugs. Substance-abusing pregnant and/or parenting women have great need for medical, mental health, and other social support services. Studies show that, compared with substance-abusing men, women are more likely to have psychiatric problems, lower self-esteem, and histories of traumatic abuse events. Most of these women have limited education, are unemployed, and rely on public assistance and/or crime as sources of income. Treatment can change their lives by promoting family unification and long-term recovery. This UCLA study looked at...
Preventing Fetal Alcohol Disorders
March 3rd, 2011 / Children / Betty Ford Institute
Alcohol is a teratogen (a substance capable of interfering with the development of organ systems, including the central nervous system). Alcohol use by pregnant women 18-44 years old is a leading cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities in the US. Yet, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are entirely preventable as long as pregnant women do not drink alcohol. According to this recent report sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol use prior to pregnancy is a strong predictor of use during pregnancy. Previously reported data...
March 3rd, 2011 / Children / Betty Ford Institute
Alcohol is a teratogen (a substance capable of interfering with the development of organ systems, including the central nervous system). Alcohol use by pregnant women 18-44 years old is a leading cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities in the US. Yet, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are entirely preventable as long as pregnant women do not drink alcohol. According to this recent report sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol use prior to pregnancy is a strong predictor of use during pregnancy. Previously reported data...
Substance Use among Early Adolescent Girls
February 4th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
This study at Columbia University looked at the risk and protective factors surrounding alcohol and drug use by young girls. According to the study, adolescent girls are surpassing boys in their use of alcohol and other drugs. The objective was to learn more about gender-specific risk and protective factors - knowledge that might be useful in the design of prevention programs. Mother-daughter pairs (781) were recruited via ads, signs in buses, and a radio station serving the greater New York City. Three-fourths of the girls sampled were African American or Latina. Participants were given...
February 4th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
This study at Columbia University looked at the risk and protective factors surrounding alcohol and drug use by young girls. According to the study, adolescent girls are surpassing boys in their use of alcohol and other drugs. The objective was to learn more about gender-specific risk and protective factors - knowledge that might be useful in the design of prevention programs. Mother-daughter pairs (781) were recruited via ads, signs in buses, and a radio station serving the greater New York City. Three-fourths of the girls sampled were African American or Latina. Participants were given...
Gender Effects on Drug Disorders
December 2nd, 2010 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
A recent study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) examined gender differences in rates of substance abuse and dependence among young people. Earlier research has shown that males appear to be at greater risk than females for substance use problems. (In 2008 males comprised 60% of the 20 million youthful illicit drug users, and more than 2/3 of those in drug abuse treatment.) However, these studies provided only limited insight into gender differences in drug use or drug consequences. The objective of this NIDA study was to determine whether rates of substance use disorders...
December 2nd, 2010 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
A recent study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) examined gender differences in rates of substance abuse and dependence among young people. Earlier research has shown that males appear to be at greater risk than females for substance use problems. (In 2008 males comprised 60% of the 20 million youthful illicit drug users, and more than 2/3 of those in drug abuse treatment.) However, these studies provided only limited insight into gender differences in drug use or drug consequences. The objective of this NIDA study was to determine whether rates of substance use disorders...
Women-Only Treatment Has Long-Term Benefits
January 31st, 2008 / Treatment / Betty Ford Institute
Women are underrepresented in most alcohol and drug treatment programs. They also often have special accompanying issues, such as child-care responsibilities and past trauma. These issues may be overlooked or discounted in a mixed-gender setting. In fact, many women with substance-use disorders (SUDs) report that all-female groups provide a safer and more comfortable treatment environment. This study tested a treatment program that is women-focused and women-only in design. Researchers recruited patients with SUD from local hospital programs, clinician referrals, etc. Participants were...
January 31st, 2008 / Treatment / Betty Ford Institute
Women are underrepresented in most alcohol and drug treatment programs. They also often have special accompanying issues, such as child-care responsibilities and past trauma. These issues may be overlooked or discounted in a mixed-gender setting. In fact, many women with substance-use disorders (SUDs) report that all-female groups provide a safer and more comfortable treatment environment. This study tested a treatment program that is women-focused and women-only in design. Researchers recruited patients with SUD from local hospital programs, clinician referrals, etc. Participants were...
Links between Alcohol and Depression?
April 30th, 2007 / Psychotherapy, Dual-Diagnoses & Mental Health / Betty Ford Institute
Although a number of studies have shown a significant relationship between drinking and depression, there have been some contradictory findings, and sometimes the relationship appears stronger for women than for men. This study explores if some of these inconsistent findings may be partially due to the types of measures used for both drinking and depression. Researchers conducted a general population telephone survey of 6,009 male and 8,054 female Canadian residents aged 18 to 76 years. They used four types of alcohol measures for both the previous year and the week prior to the survey:...
April 30th, 2007 / Psychotherapy, Dual-Diagnoses & Mental Health / Betty Ford Institute
Although a number of studies have shown a significant relationship between drinking and depression, there have been some contradictory findings, and sometimes the relationship appears stronger for women than for men. This study explores if some of these inconsistent findings may be partially due to the types of measures used for both drinking and depression. Researchers conducted a general population telephone survey of 6,009 male and 8,054 female Canadian residents aged 18 to 76 years. They used four types of alcohol measures for both the previous year and the week prior to the survey:...
Women Are Drinking Less
August 31st, 2006 / Elderly / Betty Ford Institute
There has been a growing public concern about women’s drinking habits because current research in women’s health issues point to links between alcohol consumption and breast cancer, higher risk of alcohol-related liver problems as compared with men, and the risks of fetal alcohol syndrome. There is also a fear that alcohol may pose an increased risk of physical assault. Given women’s role changes over the past several decades, stresses due to employment, and college and university environments in which heavy drinking occurs, it seems reasonable to expect that more and more women are...
August 31st, 2006 / Elderly / Betty Ford Institute
There has been a growing public concern about women’s drinking habits because current research in women’s health issues point to links between alcohol consumption and breast cancer, higher risk of alcohol-related liver problems as compared with men, and the risks of fetal alcohol syndrome. There is also a fear that alcohol may pose an increased risk of physical assault. Given women’s role changes over the past several decades, stresses due to employment, and college and university environments in which heavy drinking occurs, it seems reasonable to expect that more and more women are...
Women Alcoholics Experience More Brain Damage than Men
August 31st, 2005 / Science & Research / Betty Ford Institute
Researchers already know that alcoholism can develop differently and produce differing consequences in women than in men. Few studies utilizing brain-imaging techniques, however, have looked at these gender differences. This German study used computed tomography (CT) to examine brain atrophy in female and male alcoholics, building upon a prior hypothesis that women develop alcoholic brain damage more readily than men. Researchers examined 158 subjects: 76 women (42 patients, 34 healthy “controls”), and 82 age-matched men (34 patients, 48 healthy “controls”). All of the alcoholics...
August 31st, 2005 / Science & Research / Betty Ford Institute
Researchers already know that alcoholism can develop differently and produce differing consequences in women than in men. Few studies utilizing brain-imaging techniques, however, have looked at these gender differences. This German study used computed tomography (CT) to examine brain atrophy in female and male alcoholics, building upon a prior hypothesis that women develop alcoholic brain damage more readily than men. Researchers examined 158 subjects: 76 women (42 patients, 34 healthy “controls”), and 82 age-matched men (34 patients, 48 healthy “controls”). All of the alcoholics...
Older Women Do Better in Treatment
April 30th, 2005 / Elderly / Betty Ford Institute
Treatment of older adults – particularly older women – for alcohol dependence has received little research attention. This study, led by Dr. Derek Satre of UCSF, examined the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of older alcohol-dependent men and women at a mixed-age, private outpatient chemical dependency program. Researchers drew data from two randomized studies conducted at the Kaiser Permanente Chemical Dependency Recovery Program in Sacramento between 1994 and 1996, and 1997 and 1998, gathering a final sample of 92 patients (63 males, 29 females), ages 55 to 77 years....
April 30th, 2005 / Elderly / Betty Ford Institute
Treatment of older adults – particularly older women – for alcohol dependence has received little research attention. This study, led by Dr. Derek Satre of UCSF, examined the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of older alcohol-dependent men and women at a mixed-age, private outpatient chemical dependency program. Researchers drew data from two randomized studies conducted at the Kaiser Permanente Chemical Dependency Recovery Program in Sacramento between 1994 and 1996, and 1997 and 1998, gathering a final sample of 92 patients (63 males, 29 females), ages 55 to 77 years....
Treatment Outcomes for Women are Better than for Men
January 31st, 2005 / Spirituality & 12 Steps / Betty Ford Institute
Alcohol and drug dependence treatment outcomes of older alcoholics, particularly women, have been largely ignored. This study examined clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes among older alcoholics in a mixed-age, private outpatient, chemical dependency program. Researchers examined 92 patients, 55 to 77 years of age (63 males, 29 females) for their demographic characteristics, alcohol and drug use/dependence, drinking history, health status, psychiatric symptoms, length of stay in treatment, use of Alcoholics Anonymous, and six-month treatment outcomes. The women reported...
January 31st, 2005 / Spirituality & 12 Steps / Betty Ford Institute
Alcohol and drug dependence treatment outcomes of older alcoholics, particularly women, have been largely ignored. This study examined clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes among older alcoholics in a mixed-age, private outpatient, chemical dependency program. Researchers examined 92 patients, 55 to 77 years of age (63 males, 29 females) for their demographic characteristics, alcohol and drug use/dependence, drinking history, health status, psychiatric symptoms, length of stay in treatment, use of Alcoholics Anonymous, and six-month treatment outcomes. The women reported...
It Helps If He Cares
October 31st, 2003 / Science & Research / Betty Ford Institute
Studies have shown that the success of a woman’s drug treatment may depend upon the drug-use status of her male partner, and that pregnant women who are involved with drug-using partners can be 5 times more likely to use drugs than women whose partners are drug-free. The authors of a recent study conducted at the Center for Addiction and Pregnancy (CAP) in Baltimore suggest that those women who choose to enter treatment face losing not only the coping mechanism of drug use, but also their romantic relationships. Pregnancy and a drug-using partner can be conflicting motivators for drug...
October 31st, 2003 / Science & Research / Betty Ford Institute
Studies have shown that the success of a woman’s drug treatment may depend upon the drug-use status of her male partner, and that pregnant women who are involved with drug-using partners can be 5 times more likely to use drugs than women whose partners are drug-free. The authors of a recent study conducted at the Center for Addiction and Pregnancy (CAP) in Baltimore suggest that those women who choose to enter treatment face losing not only the coping mechanism of drug use, but also their romantic relationships. Pregnancy and a drug-using partner can be conflicting motivators for drug...
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