Women, Body Image & Drug Abuse

In the United States of America, people are obsessed with 'body image'. Simply stated, body image has to do with how we  perceive ourselves as physical beings. From tall to short and skinny to 'pleasantly plump,' no one is quite as hard as themselves as women. However, are women taking this idea of 'body image' to the extreme? And what is the connection between body image and substance abuse when it comes to women and drug or alcohol addiction? Take a look at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), [source]

First, female drug abuse is not a trivial problem in this country. Recent data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration show that in 2005, more than 6 percent of females 12 and older were current illicit drug users, and that more than 12 percent used an illicit drug in the past year. In addition, nearly 600,000 females were admitted to drug treatment facilities in the United States, representing more than 30 percent of the total treatment admissions.

Second, the gender characteristics of drug abuse and addiction are changing. For many years, males exceeded females in their rates of drug abuse and in the degree of resulting problems. Recent trends indicate, however, that girls are now catching up and, in some cases, surpassing boys in their abuse of licit and illicit drugs. And while more research is needed, both animal models and clinical studies suggest that females may be more vulnerable than males to the rewarding effects of drugs, heightening their risk for dependence.

NIDA's broad research portfolio is geared to identify and counter these trends by discovering the underlying biological and social factors that lead to drug abuse and addiction, and the best ways to use this knowledge to develop, test, and implement targeted prevention and treatment programs. For males and females, differing motivations behind the abuse of particular drugs may require specialized approaches. For example, although girls and boys both abuse prescription drugs, girls are more likely to do so for the drugs' prescribed purpose (e.g., stimulants to lose weight, increase alertness), while boys are more likely to abuse them to get high, or, in the case of steroids, to excel in sports and achieve a more muscular physique.

How Body Image Plays into Women’s Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious (and growing) problem among women of all ages. With many women, there is often a fine line between wanting to “look good” so that others don't judge you versus wanting to exercise in order to maintain or achieve optimal health. Research has shown that those women who actively participate in sports or other extracurricular activities, in which exercise is incorporated, tend to shy away from drug and/or alcohol use. Additionally, proper nutrition habits and regular exercise increases the production of dopamine in your body (the “feel good” hormone), which often leads to having a healthier attitude as well as better mental clarity.

Although there is some speculation, there seems to be a correlation between women who abuse drugs and those who have low self-esteem or little self-confidence. This can have an unfortunate domino effect for many women, leading them to abuse drugs and/or alcohol because of undiagnosed co-morbidity such as depression being resolved by abusing alcohol and/or drugs. Often times, women who abuse drugs and alcohol in order to fill a psychological void (such as having poor body image) often find that they are uncomfortable or embarrassed to seek the help that they need for their drug or alcohol problem. NIDA reports that more than 4 million women need treatment for drug abuse but fail to readily seek it due to overriding fears that they will be punished if they admit they are addicted to drugs.

Women Finding Peace Within Themselves

By finding a mental, emotional, spiritual balance as well as by working on developing healthy eating habits and an exercise routine, women who are struggling with alcoholism and drug abuse can begin to find peace and acceptance with themselves. We all come in different shapes and sizes. Therefore, the approach that we take to stay physically fit and maintain good health will differ from person to person. At The Mark Houston Recovery Center for Women, we have personal trainers who work with each individual five days a week to formulate a specific regimen to follow. By working to develop healthy physical habits, recovering female addicts and alcoholics will develop a greater appreciation for the benefits of eating healthy and getting regular exercise.

At The Mark Houston Recovery Center for Women, we encourage self acceptance and try to implement various skills for living our lives as sober beings. Our belief is that in helping our female residents take action by developing healthier ways of living, we are leading women who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction to change their perception of themselves as well as improve their daily self discipline and comfort with who they are and the direction that they want their lives to take. Contact The MHR Center for Women today at 877.383.4426 to find out how you and your loved one can take that first step towards a life of permanent sobriety.