Alcohol use on the rise with women across Ohio

By Oyauma Garrison
President and CEO, Maryhaven

Recent studies and headlines are, ironically, sobering. The number of women at risk for fatal consequences from overuse of alcohol is increasing — and at an even faster rate than men. This problem seems especially acute among women in their mid-30s who have become more prone to binge drinking, according to research from Columbia University.

We know addiction to be a “proximate” disease. Whether gambling, alcohol, or drugs, usage and addiction rates rise when the substance or activity can be easily accessed and social norms make its use acceptable. Alcohol is as ubiquitous as any beverage. Our society tolerates and even encourages drinking. It should not be a surprise that alcohol ranks as the most common addictive substance after nicotine.

The 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that 29.5 million people aged 12 and older had Alcohol Use Disorder or AUD. While still more prevalent among men, this chronic brain disorder impacted an estimated 12.4 million adult women.

Excessive alcohol use leads to greater numbers of injuries, chronic health concerns such as liver and heart disease, some cancers, and poor pregnancy outcomes. Further, alcohol misuse frequently connects to other major concerns, including mental health disorders like depression and physical threats such as domestic violence.

Women in Ohio should be especially wary about the uptick in binge drinking. Our state already ranks among the highest for excessive alcohol use, according to data maps published by the Centers for Disease Control.

Maryhaven uniquely understands how women can struggle with AUD. Our organization was launched 70 years ago by nuns who specifically sought to give women with alcoholism a place to seek treatment and heal. We continue that tradition today, offering both AUD Treatment AND services specific to women.

Jamie Krauss, Maryhaven’s Director of Women’s Services, says that even though the world has become more equitable since our founding in 1953, women still face additional stigmas and challenges when it comes to recovery from AUD. “My team and I have a real passion for working with women,” she says. “Part of our commitment to care comes from the understanding that many of those we serve have been victimized and traumatized, living through ordeals from domestic violence or sexual assault.”

She adds that women survivors seeking treatment may be more vulnerable to additional victimization because their prior criminal records may lead others to ignore or discredit their allegations.

She also speaks to how often women still receive signals from society that discourage them from asserting themselves. This tendency to promote submissive behavior can create greater challenges when women try to learn how to refuse alcohol and adhere to the boundaries they need to stay sober. Krauss notes that one of the “hardest things our clients face is setting expectations with family and friends.”

Krauss also sees that alcohol remains a drug of choice. She estimates that half of the women under Maryhaven’s care suffer from alcohol addiction.

But Krauss also finds reasons for hope. In addition to medically assisted treatment and therapies such as cognitive behavioral counseling, many succeed in recovery because of a sense of community. As they push past the stigma and assert themselves—actress Jamie Lee Curtis serves as a notable example—more women will find their way to healthier, happier lives, earning acceptance and respect as people in recovery.

To learn more about Maryhaven’s treatment options for women, visit Maryhaven.com/women or call 614-441-8131.