Changing social values is making alcoholism a common drinking problem in all ages of women. In general, women are more prone to alcoholism compared to men based on their body compositions. Because women tend to weigh less than men and alcohol remain in body water, an average woman is impacted more by consuming the same amount of alcohol as an average. As a result, female drinkers tend to experience adverse effects and develop alcohol-related addictions more quickly than men.

Binge drinking and associated risks

Binge drinking is the consumption of a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time. For women, binge drinking is defined as 4 or more drinks in less than a 2-hour period. Binge drinking is rampant in bars and college campuses and is a steadily increasing problem for women. Some of the greatest risks of binge drinking for women include:

Susceptible to sexual assault and intimate partner violence, Reckless and risky behavior, Alcohol poisoning, Nausea, Dehydration In addition, there is an increased risk of injury from accidents, especially in drink-and-drive accidents, due to poorer hand and limb coordination. Drinking in excess also increases your risk of liver damage and cirrhosis, serious conditions that can be fatal. Effects on pregnancies and breastfeeding - Most women will not know they are pregnant until the second month. Drinking when pregnant will harm the health of the unborn child. Drinking also increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, abnormalities, and cognitive defects—affecting attention, intelligence, language, and memory. The effects continue after birth, too. If you drink while breastfeeding, the alcohol in your bloodstream passes into breast milk. Even low levels of alcohol intake reduce the amount of milk you produce and cause irritability, poor feeding, and sleep disturbances in the infant.

Things to remember

Eat before and after you drink

Space out your drinks, sipping slowly

Alternate your drinks with non-alcoholic beverages

Eat food while drinking to slow down alcohol absorption

If you are on diet, cut back on fat during the day to make room for the additional calories from your drinks.

Do not drink and drive. Take other means of transport and not self-driving while going home.

Other health risks associated with alcoholism

Alcoholic hepatitis, Heart disease, brain damage, mental health conditions, Traumatic injury, Several forms of cancer.

Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.  Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other health professionals for any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.