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Click here to read "Addressing the Complexities of Chronic Pain," by Dr. James Gagne, an internist at The Canyon. The article was published in Marin Medicine Magazine. (This link is provided solely for educational purposes.)

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Alcoholism and Women

"Women can't handle their liquor" is a stereotype that most female drinkers today might try to disprove. But as most stereotypes go, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Women suffer more health problems, social stigmas, and alcohol-related deaths, even though more alcohol is consumed on average by men. The amount of alcohol considered to be "safe" constantly changes with every stage of a woman's life. Knowing the signs may help alert you to possible problems before they get out of hand and alcohol rehab is needed.

The Canyon provides for the distinctive needs of female clients through gender-specific group counseling, separate living quarters, nutritional support, and family therapy sessions to create a diverse course of treatment options all designed to focus the mind and calm the spirit in preparation for long-term sobriety.

Women and Alcoholism: Adolescence

Roughly 41 percent of female high-school freshmen acknowledge using alcohol in the past 30 days. Over 20 percent report binge drinking during the same time frame (i.e., consuming 4 or more drinks during one occasion). Teenagers drink for the same reasons as adults: to relax, relieve tension, and have a good time. However, research shows that teens who have parents that communicate messages of support when they make mistakes are less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol during times of stress.

Troubles with school, personal relationships, self-esteem, traffic accidents, legal dilemmas, unprotected sexual encounters, unplanned pregnancies, and violence are the unintended consequences of teenage drinking. Additionally, drinking habits that develop during adolescence result in a heightened risk of alcoholism later in life.

Women and Alcoholism: Young Adulthood

Ethnic and cultural traditions have a subtle, yet distinct influence on drinking patterns of women in adulthood. Heavy drinking is more commonly found among white women in their younger years, while black women tend to drink more during middle age.

Risks of sexual assault and traffic fatalities still remain, and long-term physiological problems begin to crop up during this time as well. Liver failure, heart problems, breast cancer, brain damage, and emotional disturbances are the crippling signs of alcoholism. Women who become pregnant and continue to drink alcohol also run the risk of causing permanent developmental retardation in their babies, effects frequently known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Women and Alcoholism: Older Women

As metabolism slows down with age, the effects of alcohol increase dramatically. Combined with a surplus of pharmaceuticals which, alone, are potentially addictive, the likelihood that older women are struggling with alcohol abuse is surprisingly overlooked. Sleeping troubles, poor eating and grooming habits, depression, agitation, falls and physical complaints are not the result of normal aging.

Unfortunately, denial and the stigma associated with alcoholism may prevent many women from seeking the help they desperately need. It's important to remember that female alcoholics have a mortality rate up to 100 percent higher than their male counterparts.

Women Can Find Treatment at The Canyon

Alcohol abuse doesn't get better with time, and there is no medication that can completely cure you of cravings. The best treatment is done one-on-one with a certified addiction counselor or in a supportive recovery environment that advocates sobriety through 100 percent abstinence and talk therapies. The Canyon has successfully treated men and women of all ages for alcohol and drug abuse, thanks to the gorgeous, relaxing scenery, holistic lifestyle approach, and well-rounded psychotherapy services.

A stay at The Canyon is like no other rehab center anywhere else. Our goal is to help you get your life back on track - and keep it that way, using the methods and support network acquired during your residential stay.

Call The Canyon today at to find out more about our comprehensive treatment programs. It may be just what you're looking for.

Articles on Alcoholism

• Alcohol as a Gateway Drug
• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome and How it Can Affect You
• Alcohol Street Names and Nicknames
• Alcoholism and the Elderly
• Alcoholism and Women
• Hypoglycemia in the Alcoholic
• Caffeine & Alcohol = A Bad Combination
• Homeless to Hollywood to Help
• Why Alcohol Can Affect People Differently
• Alcoholism and the Mental Effects