Available at your corner store, celebrated on cutesy swag, and awash at social gatherings, alcohol presents a clear and serious danger to young women nationwide. According to a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 51% of adult women reported having consumed alcohol in the last month, compared to just 48% of adult men. At Grace & Emerge Recovery, we provide addiction treatment for women. If you are abusing alcohol or know someone who is, you might not be aware of the dangers — or how to get help.
Alcohol is a drink that contains any fermentation of a source of sugar (like grains, fruit, or potatoes). Alcohol is:
Composed of the organic compound ethanol
Psychoactive
Habit-forming
A central nervous system suppressant
Alcohol creates physical and psychological dependency when used in large quantities or over a long period of time. Signs of alcohol addiction include:
Withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped
Depression
Mood swings
Legal issues
Financial problems
Decrease sex drive
In one federal study, more than one million young adult women (ages 18 to 25) reported heavy alcohol use in the last month. Women are also more likely to admit drinking to cope — a behavior that can lead to serious addiction — and alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol Use Disorder, commonly referred to as alcoholism, affects thousands of Americans nationwide. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines this illness as the combination of alcohol dependence and abuse. Together, these two elements are what we refer to as alcohol use disorder.
Reducing or stopping alcohol consumption after long-term abuse and dependence causes uncomfortable and serious withdrawal symptoms, including:
Shakes and seizures
Chills
Rapid heart rate
Confusion
Difficulty sleeping
Heart attack
Coma
Death
After centuries of human consumption, alcohol has made its way into a variety of substances: from chocolates to energy drinks and more. It is always produced by the fermentation of a sugar source, which creates the organic compound ethanol. Different substances have different levels of alcohol included: “Proof” is a measurement of how much ethanol is in an alcoholic substance.
Although it is legal to consume at the age of 21, alcohol is a dangerous and highly addictive drug. In fact, detoxing from alcohol can be much more dangerous than detoxing from other “harder” drugs like cocaine or even heroin. If you have been abusing alcohol or know someone who is, it’s important that you receive professional care during detox and what comes after. Alcohol addiction is serious, and you deserve evidence-based treatment.
Women aren’t just drinking more than their male counterparts. They’re also experiencing serious effects, including:
According to the National Center for PTSD, 10% of women will suffer from PTSD in their lifetimes, compared to 4% of men. Far too often, they turn to alcohol to numb the pain. Our trauma program helps women unravel their history of hurt to find a way forward without anesthetizing substances.
Another dangerous variation of alcohol involves the addition of other drugs to the mix. Alcohol heightens the sedative effects of codeine cough syrup, for example, which can suppress respiratory rate and heart rate to dangerous levels. It also increases the likelihood that a user will develop a physiological dependence on lean, making withdrawal and recovery from addiction that much more dangerous and difficult. If you are abusing lean with alcohol, or know someone who is, don’t gamble with your life. Get help for lean and alcohol abuse and experience peak recovery.
Technically, users who experience lean overdose are affected by the active ingredient, codeine. This has played a role in many high-profile overdoses and drug-related deaths. For example, the 2000 death of Houston rapper DJ Screw was attributed to lean abuse. Popular rapper Juice Wrld died of Oxycodone and codeine overdose in 2020.
Many women struggle to find a supportive and caring treatment facility focused on their well-being and health. In fact, some women may fear the stigma often associated with alcoholism. But it doesn’t have to be this way. When it comes to receiving treatment for alcohol addiction in Austin, Emerge Recovery TX provides all women with a safe and caring environment designed to help them on the journey to recovery.
Young women in alcohol addiction treatment can explore and heal the reasons for their drinking, learn healthy coping mechanisms, and build a peer support community in our welcoming therapeutic community.
Every addiction treatment plan is different, depending on each individual client’s constellation of substance use, trauma, and mental health disorders. Led by an all-female leadership team, our incredible clinicians work collaboratively to build a treatment plan for each client — and keep evolving it as each client heals. Our addiction treatment plans include a variety of evidence-based and holistic modalities, including:
Learn more about our addiction treatment at the link.
Grace & Emerge Recovery welcomes young women from all walks of life, including those struggling with:
Adderall Addiction
Alcohol Addiction
Benzodiazepine Addiction
Cocaine Addiction
Crystal Meth Addiction
Fentanyl Addiction
Heroin Addiction
Marijuana Addiction
Nicotine Addiction
Opioid Addiction
Addiction to Other Prescription Pills
Xanax Addiction
Vaping Addiction
And More
It can be challenging to understand the severity of alcoholism in ourselves and others. Individuals may have questions like, What are the signs of alcoholism? How do I know if I meet the criteria for AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder)?
The DSM-V has identified 11 criteria that an individual may meet to qualify for AUD:
Medical professionals suggest that those who experience two or more symptoms within 12 months may potentially have mild AUD. However, the severity of the illness will depend on the range of symptoms and criteria met. If these statements apply to you or a loved one, reach out to discuss your situation — and decide on a path forward.
Quitting alcohol on your own is dangerous. Our safe, supportive community will give you the professional support, compassionate care, and useful tools you need to find and live a life in recovery. Start today.