Prevention

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Since research finds a strong family component to addiction, women with a family history of addiction should be aware of their increased risk for dependency, especially during stressful periods. There are three primary risk factors for substance use disorders:

• Genetics: This risk factor is still being studied and further research is required. But we know that if a woman has a grandparent, parent or sibling with an addiction, she is significantly more likely to develop an addiction than a woman with no such family history.

• Age of first use and duration of use: About 40 percent of women who began drinking as a teenager, specifically before the age of 15 and continue to drink, will be diagnosed as alcohol dependent at some point in their lives. Women who began drinking at age 20 or older have a 10 percent chance of developing alcohol dependence.

• Victimization: Women who have been sexually abused in childhood are more likely than other women to have alcohol-related problems. And women who seek alcoholism treatment are significantly more likely to report childhood sexual abuse and father-to-daughter verbal aggression or physical violence. One study found that women who were neglected as children but not abused were at greater risk of having alcohol-related problems regardless of any other life experience, including poverty, parental alcohol abuse, race or age.

Moderate alcohol use—up to one drink per day, or the equivalent of one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler; 8 to 9 ounces of malt liquor; one 5-ounce glass of table wine; 3 to 4 ounces of fortified wine; 2 to 3 ounces of cordial, liqueur or aperitif; 1.5 ounces of brandy; or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (NIAAA guide)—is not harmful for most women as long as they are not pregnant or trying to become pregnant. If you feel the need to increase your use of alcohol or find that you are gradually increasing your use of alcohol, you may be at risk for developing an alcohol use disorder. Talk to your health care professional about your use of alcohol and how to control it.

The best way to prevent risky or harmful substance use is to recognize the potential for it. Alcohol and marijuana use are particularly insidious substances due to their perceived harmlessness. Also, the effects of each may be worse when used together. Alcohol, although it is socially acceptable, is the most dangerous and addictive substance, particularly for women. If you plan to drink, it's important you make a conscious effort to drink responsibly.

Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug. Although it is commonly believed to be a safe, non-addictive recreational drug, it carries many health risks, including occupational injury and automobile accidents.

The following steps can help you and your health care professional prevent an addiction to a prescription drug, a problem for many women:

• Ask your health care professional to prescribe only quantities appropriate for your condition.

• Talk about why the medication is being prescribed, how to use it correctly and what side effects you may experience.

• Talk about addiction and how tolerance to a drug is developed.

• Follow up with your health care professional when the medication is finished.

Unfortunately, many health care professionals have little or no training in substance abuse or addiction. If in doubt, call the American Society of Addiction Medicine at 301-656-3920 or www.asam.org to find a doctor certified in addiction medicine in your area or contact the International Nurses Society on Addiction at 484-318-6739 or www.intnsa.org to find a registered nurse certified in addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (www.nida.nih.gov) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (www.niaaa.nih.gov), both part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), can also provide literature and other forms of guidance.