Gender Dynamics in Substance Use and Treatment: A Women's Focused Approach

Med Clin North Am. 2022 Jan;106(1):219-234. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.08.007.

Abstract

Gender impacts substance use initiation, substance use disorder development, engagement with treatment, and harms related to drug and alcohol use. Using the biopsychosocial model of addiction, this review provides a broad summary of barriers and facilitators to addiction services among women. It also reviews substance use among pregnant and parenting women and approaches to care. Given the increasing rates of substance use among women, there is a need to implement and scale-up gender-responsive addiction programming and pursue advocacy at the policy level that addresses the root drivers of substance use inequities among women.

Keywords: Gender; Substance use disorders; Treatment; Women.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • Alcohol Drinking / therapy*
  • Behavior, Addictive / psychology*
  • Breast Feeding / psychology
  • Choice Behavior
  • Female
  • Gender Role*
  • Health Inequities
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Biopsychosocial
  • Parenting / psychology*
  • Patient Advocacy / ethics
  • Patient-Centered Care / trends
  • Pregnancy
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*
  • United States / epidemiology