New
research scheduled for publication in the January 2014 issue of
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, and summarized in a press release here,
found that women seek alcohol treatment between an average of 4 to 5
years earlier than men. Prior research has suggested that women may
develop serious alcohol problems needing treatment at a faster rate than
men, that is, that they might experience a "telescoping" effect,
wherein they progress more rapidly through various stages of the
disease...of alcoholism. Anecdotally (non-scientific evidence), in the
12 Step Programs it has been noted that women progress to alcoholism at a
faster rate (time frame) than men.
One of the authors of the research study stated:
*** "in a moderately large heterogeneous population of drinkers seeking treatment, a telescoping effect is observed. Women, on average, sought treatment between four to five years earlier than men; in other words, 10 years versus 15 years. Although the study does not specifically address why this is the case, it is important for primary physicians and first line health care workers to know that it takes, on average, approximately 10 years to progress from self-reported problems with alcohol to treatment for women, and approximately 15 years to progress from self reported problems with alcohol to treatment for men.
*** "in a moderately large heterogeneous population of drinkers seeking treatment, a telescoping effect is observed. Women, on average, sought treatment between four to five years earlier than men; in other words, 10 years versus 15 years. Although the study does not specifically address why this is the case, it is important for primary physicians and first line health care workers to know that it takes, on average, approximately 10 years to progress from self-reported problems with alcohol to treatment for women, and approximately 15 years to progress from self reported problems with alcohol to treatment for men.
"The
bottom line," said the researcher, "is that hopefully these results
will raise awareness concerning the restricted time window between
alcohol problems and the development of sufficient negative consequences
to prompt seeking treatment among women. These findings emphasize the
need for greater attention to women's issues, determining sex-specific
risk factors, as well as identifying subgroups most likely to require
treatment. Additionally, there must be a greater awareness of the
importance of intervening when alcohol problems are first experienced.
If we are able to develop appropriate interventions, we may mitigate the
need for inpatient treatment for some of these women."
As always, comments are invited. Jan Edward Williams www.alcoholdrugsos.com. 08/15/2013.
As always, comments are invited. Jan Edward Williams www.alcoholdrugsos.com. 08/15/2013.
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