It is commonly believed that men are more addicted, but addiction rates among women are also increasing. Experts warn, "While the frequency of substance and alcohol use is higher in men than in women, women develop addiction much faster than men, even though they use substances in lower amounts and duration."
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Psychiatry Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz said that the difference between men and women in addiction is closing.
Substance abuse is also a major problem for women
Stating that substance abuse and related problems have been more common among men for many years, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz said that the use and addiction in women attracted less attention:
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"Recently, however, it has been argued that the gender gap in substance use has started to close and substance use has become an important problem for women as well. In studies conducted abroad, it has been determined that there has been an increase in substance use by women between the 1990s and 2000s, and the fact that attention has been drawn to this issue makes us think that the same situation will be in question in our country."
No difference in terms of smoking
In terms of smoking, while smoking addiction was higher in the male gender before the 2000s, this ratio has changed after the 2000s, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz said, "In terms of smoking, it can be said that there is no difference between genders in general, although it varies according to regions. While the prevalence of alcoholism was 1 in 5 for men and women in the 1980s, this ratio has now decreased to 1 in 3. While the age at which men start drinking alcohol is earlier than women, the difference between the ages at which men and women start drinking alcohol has gradually decreased in recent years."
Women are more affected
Stating that women are more easily exposed to the effects of substances due to biological reasons, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz said, "The emergence of activity even at low doses in women poses a risk in terms of addiction. While the frequency of substance and alcohol use is higher in men than in women, women develop addiction much faster than men, even though they use substances in lower amounts and duration."
Changes in social roles increase accessibility to substances
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz also added that due to changes in women's social roles, gaining economic freedom, and changing socioeconomic and cultural structures, the accessibility rates of substances are close to the accessibility rates of the male gender.
There is a strong relationship between trauma and addiction
Noting that there is a strong relationship between women's trauma and substance use, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz said, "There is a strong relationship between women's exposure to sexual and physical abuse more than men and women's substance use. Women tend to use cigarettes, alcohol or other drugs for reasons such as increasing their confidence, reducing tension, coping with their problems, reducing pressures or losing weight."
Women seek treatment for psychological reasons, men for academic reasons
Pointing out that women apply for treatment for other psychiatric diseases before addiction treatment due to other accompanying psychiatric diseases, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz said, "While men mostly apply for treatment for academic and work-related reasons, women mostly apply for treatment due to psychological problems they have experienced.
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Close success rates in addiction treatment
Noting that the success rates of women and men in addiction treatment are almost close to each other, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz said, "It can be said that the success rates of women are better than men. Although the recurrence rate of addiction after treatment is lower in women than in men, when relapse occurs, women apply for treatment more quickly than men."
