6 Common Causes For Drug Abuse In Women

Substance abuse, or more commonly known as drug abuse, refers to using certain chemicals and pills to induce feelings of pleasure. Drugs like cannabis, marijuana, and hashish are widely used drugs globally, and their consumption is increasing at an alarming rate. Cocaine and heroin abuse is also becoming more common, especially among young adults under 30.

Although the prevalence of drugs may vary in different age groups and socioeconomic strata, they’re present in nearly all walks of life. Several studies have shown that men are more likely to abuse drugs than women. However, this might be because addiction research focused only on the effects of substance abuse on men for many decades.

Recent studies have discovered several differences in drug abuse between the two genders. These differences are likely to stem from men and women having varying biological and sociological factors. The Harvard Medical School defines these differences notably centering around susceptibility, recovery, and risk of relapse.

In different cultures and societies, the reasons for drug abuse might differ. The top 6 causes of women resorting to drug abuse are listed below.

1. Depression

Depression is a severe clinical disorder that causes helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. It is prevalent in women, with very few who seek help from certain professionals like those at Delphi Health Group. Although the severity of symptoms may vary among individuals, they generally include poor appetite, difficulty sleeping, constant fatigue, and persistent sadness. Because of reproductive, genetic, or biological factors, women are more susceptible to depression than men. Those suffering from depression find it difficult to see a way out. And to help themselves cope, they turn to drugs and alcohol, which can temporarily subside any emotional pain they may feel.

2. Stress and inability to cope

It is common for males to release their stress in aggressive or delinquent behavior. On the other hand, women tend to internalize their reactions, growing to significant proportions and causing more problems with time. As their stress increases, they become even more withdrawn and keep suffering in silence without any healthy way of coping. Several factors like the death or illness of a close friend or family member, lifestyle changes, relationships, or even switching jobs may trigger stress in individuals. Some women turn to drugs to help them feel numb and forget their worries for a while. This feeling of numbness very quickly becomes addictive, and soon they start relying on drugs to get them through the day.

3. Social pressure

The constant pressure of “fitting in” and staying up to date with growing trends pushes many women, especially young girls, to initiate drug use. Since they are maturing physically and mentally during their transition from teenage to adulthood, they experience several sudden changes. Peer pressure to smoke, drink and use drugs also forces women towards substance abuse for fear of being labeled a misfit. And since these recreational activities have become so common now, it feels odder not to partake in these than to try them. The desire to impress their friends can result in risky behaviors like accidents, addiction, overdose, and driving under the influence.

4. Academic pressure

Several colleges and even parents force their students and children to achieve exceptional grades, even if it requires them to study all day and night. Additionally, students have to participate in co-curricular activities and academics to improve their job applications and impress future employers. This constant pressure may cause students to seek ways to obtain stress relief. Unfortunately, many students turn to drugs and alcohol as an escape or a coping mechanism without proper guidance and resources. College events and parties provide easy access to substances of abuse. Students may readily turn to the transient relief drugs offered when encountering the pressure of exams, assignments, and even friends.

5. Low self-esteem

Teenage years bring many insecurities, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem with them. Having the ‘right’ body image and the social image becomes the epitome of existence, and young girls have to conform to society’s expectations. Like they associate weight loss and being slim with beauty, they associate drinking and drug use with being trendy and cool. The pressure of having the perfect body may even face young women to go on extreme diets and engage in unhealthy weight-related behaviors. Whether it’s for seeking constant approval from peers or family, their low self-esteem can push them towards substance abuse very early on in their life.

6. Traumatic experience

Studies throughout the decades have defined a straightforward yet complex relationship between trauma and substance abuse. Sometimes a traumatic event may cause the survivor to use drugs, while other times, it is the use of these drugs that cause a traumatic event. While the temporality of the two factors may differ, the association between the two is an obvious one. Flooded by fear or guilt, many people scarred by a traumatic event may turn to drugs to cope or escape complex thoughts for at least a while.

Conclusion

With the advancements in technology and the prevalence of social media in recent decades, substance abuse has grown exponentially. More people are concerned with how their friends perceive them than their own physical and mental health. Still, depression, social and academic pressure, low self-esteem, and traumatic events are the most common causes reported to date. Young women who abuse drugs may do so for several reasons.