The ability of the human being to lead large campaigns has made women embark on challenges that include family, study, personal image, business and work. Hence, female addictions are also on the rise, forming self-destructive behaviors that alter their mental health.
Above all, because in some cases, gender equality has been misinterpreted. Where women develop routines such as consuming alcohol, sleeping little and smoking, which directly affect the physical and psychological part, in a progressive way.
Hence, at present, the consumption of drugs and psychotropic drugs by women leads to neurological diseases, such as schizophrenia, bipolarity or dementia. But they also have a high impact on heart activity, blood pressure and the cerebrovascular system.
Most frequent female addictions
In reality, female addictions have been made visible and treated less frequently than men’s. However, today, young people of both sexes have a tendency to be addicted to technology, soft drinks and sugars. Adding alcohol, tobacco and psychoactive substances.
In this same way, we see that adult women hide their problems, anguish and conflicts in alcohol, psychotropic drugs, cigarettes and online gambling. Likewise, the compulsion to buy and obsessive compulsive disorders are considered the most recurrent psychological disorders among females.
Thus, we find that female addictions are a global problem that leads to psychological and physiological dependence. Where the brain structure is affected, bringing with it cognitive disabilities and loss of control of emotions in the short term.
And although, in many cases, depression, anxiety and mood swings are attributed to the effects of hormones, they can be manifested by hidden addictions. At the same time, other indicators such as decay, loss of interest, isolation and sleep disorders that may be associated arise.
Multiple reasons
The causes of female addictions and the repercussions on mental health are multifactorial. Since discrimination, inequity, violence, dysfunctional families and sexual assault are elements of high personal impact. In addition, lack of opportunity, multiple responsibilities, stress, multiparity and poor living conditions can also play their part.
Therefore, it must be recognized that female addictions are present in our time and constitute a health problem that affects the entire society. In such a way, that families and health institutions focus their gaze on the needs of women and the risks they face every day
It is here where assistance programs, inclusive job offers, alternative education, training talks and support groups are key pieces to identify any type of problem related to women and their family group. Above all, because abuse, inequity and lack of access to services should already be stories of the past.
References:
1.L. Chait, B. Zulaica Calvo. Battered drug addicted women: analysis for intervention. Elsevier. [internet]2005 [consultado 26 jul 2021]; 7 (2): 104-113. Available in:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1575097305745153.
2.Gloria Galaviz Granados. Women, addiction and rehabilitation: Reflections from the northwestern border of Mexico. Collective Health. [internet] 2015. [consultado 26 jul 2021]. Available in: https://www.sskip.org/article/scol/2015.v11n3/367-379/es/.
3.Ramos-Lira Luciana. Why talk about gender and mental health? Health Ment [revista en la Internet]. Aug 2014 [citado 2021 Jul 26]; 37 (4): 275-281. Available in:
http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0185-33252014000400001&lng=es.