The Need for Alcohol Rehab: Men Versus Women and Alcoholism

Alcoholism is 2-1/2 times more common among men than women, although the addiction progresses more rapidly among women. One reason alcohol abuse is seen less often in women may be because women are less likely to experience difficulties with employers, finances, or the law - common warning signs of a potential problem. Women are also much less likely to engage in risky behavior, such as drinking and driving or promiscuous sex.

The Canyon understands the natural differences between men and women, especially in regards to substance abuse and rehabilitation. Emotional strains of family, job, and financial responsibilities are taken into account, as well as nutritional requirements and hormonal fluctuations.. A wide assortment of healing modalities are provided to encourage a balanced development of social and coping skills that can be easily assimilated into your everyday life after you leave The Canyon.

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The Need for Alcohol Rehab: Prevalence of Alcoholism in Men Versus Women

• Physical dependency on alcohol is seen more often among men.
• Roughly 22 percent of men, versus 10 percent of women, consume an average of two or more drinks in a given day.
• Up to 60 percent of men between the ages of 18 to 25 are binge drinkers (five or more drinks on any one occasion).
• Women drink more often between the ages of 26 to 34, or if they are divorced or separated from their spouse.

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The Need for Alcohol Rehab: Metabolism of Alcohol in Men Versus Women

Women on average have less mass and less body water than men, which creates a higher concentration of alcohol in the blood (also known as blood alcohol level) and increased impairment from drinking the same amount. Women also have a higher liver volume to body mass ratio, so alcohol is expelled (metabolized) into the blood stream much faster than for men.

These findings greatly impact the amount of alcohol that can be considered "moderate": up to one drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. More than that is considered "heavy drinking" and creates blood alcohol levels that are extremely toxic and damaging.

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The Need for Alcohol Rehab: Consequences of Alcoholism in Men Versus Women

Binge drinking is directly related to higher rates of injury, sexually transmitted disease and unplanned pregnancy, as well as inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and deposits of calcium lining the arteries (coronary calcification) in both men and women. But there are a number of consequences of alcoholism that affect men and women differently. They include:

• Women are more likely to combine prescription drugs with alcohol, especially those who live with men that abuse drugs.
• Women are at higher risk for physical health problems related to alcohol than men: liver disease, brain damage (atrophy), heart failure, cancer, physical and sexual assault, even traffic crashes.
• Death comes much sooner for women who drink, too, usually by about 11 years. Liver scarring (cirrhosis) and domestic violence are the number one killers of women who participate in alcohol abuse.

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The Need for Alcohol Rehab: Alcoholism Treatment for Men and Women at The Canyon

If you can't stop drinking, you have a problem no matter what sex you are. The Canyon offers both single- and mixed-gender group counseling sessions to address specific issues males and females have related to alcoholism. Trust is an important factor when allowing recovery and treatment philosophies to guide you in a new way of life. You want to choose the best center that respects and honors you as a whole person, not just a patient.

The Canyon is just such a place. Call now at and let us show you how to get your life together.

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