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 Centre for Addictionand Mental Health |
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About Mental Health & Addictions
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How alcohol affects your feelingsWomen and AlcoholOn this page:
How alcohol affects your feelingsAlcohol affects how you think and feel. Small amounts of alcohol might make you feel happy, relaxed and self-confident. But drinking too much can make you feel sad, upset or angry. Or small amounts of alcohol might dull painful feelings. But drinking won’t change the problems behind those feelings. It can even make problems worse. Alcohol and stress in women’s livesSome women are unhappy with certain parts of their lives, but aren’t able to change them. They may want children but not have any, or not want children but have them. They may want a paid job but not have one, or not like the job they’re in. They may want a relationship, but not be in one, or not be happy with the relationship they are in. Some women drink or use other drugs to try to cope with the stress they feel as a result of being unhappy. Some of these women develop problems. And some women have extra stresses in their lives. You may be more likely to use alcohol to cope if:
Some situations can make you feel out of control. So you might start drinking to cope. But drinking won’t solve your problems. It may make them worse. If you already drink regularly, drinking more to cope with stress can even cause new problems, with money, health or relationships. Too much drinking can make you feel depressed and helpless to change difficult situations.
Other people’s drinkingHow other people drink can affect you too. You are more likely to drink or take other drugs if your parents, partner or friends do. Parents who drink heavily or use other drugs Children often learn about alcohol and other drugs by watching their parents. Children whose parents drink heavily or use other drugs often have problems, even after they grow up. A partner or husband who drinks heavily or uses other drugs You might try to hide your partner’s behaviour. So you end up with all the responsibilities. Or you try to control his or her drinking, so you drink more to leave less alcohol for your partner. Or you drink to keep him or her company. An abusive partner or husband Abuse can take place without alcohol and other drugs. But it often happens when a partner or husband drinks heavily or uses other drugs. And the violence may be worse when he or she is drinking or using. If you drink too, that can make it harder for you to recognize the abuse. It can also make it harder to protect yourself in an abusive situation. Women and drinking problemsYou might find that you’re drinking more, or more often, than the guidelines for safer drinking mentioned earlier. Or you may “binge”—drink a lot sometimes, and only a little or not at all in between those times. Either can cause problems, for you and for those around you. You may find that you can’t get along without alcohol, that you are dependent on it. It’s easy to become dependent on alcohol without even knowing it. It can be difficult to admit to yourself and others that you have a problem. Many people don’t understand the reasons why women have drinking problems. People often judge women with drinking problems more harshly than men. Some people don’t want to admit that a woman they know has a drinking problem. Sometimes they want her to keep the problem hidden. So these women often don’t get the support they need.
Don’t let other people’s attitudes get in your way. You may feel afraid or embarrassed, but don’t let that stop you from getting the help you need. You are not alone. You deserve help. You’re worth it!
Women and Alcohol |
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Last updated: Mar 13, 2008 4:10 PM Published: Oct 06, 2008 1:00 PM ID#P29066 |