Substance Abuse

Women Strive to do it All, and Turn to Substance Abuse to Cope

By December 6, 2013December 9th, 2013No Comments

Women have come a long way in terms of opportunity and open doors. But sometimes women find that trying to take advantage of every opportunity stretches them too thin. Many times, they want to give the appearance that everything they’re excelling at is falling neatly into place.  Sometimes, the pursuit of “doing it all” can lead to substance abuse behind closed doors.

Many women today are striving to live up to media and sitcom images, believing they should be the perfect mom, the perfect wife and the perfect boss/employee. The plates are spinning and it can be hard to know when to put them down. Some start using alcohol (or drugs) just to unwind. Before long, they are using substances just to cope.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse around 800,000 adult women started abusing prescription drugs this past year. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says that 5.3 million women in this country abuse alcohol. Drug and alcohol abuse is not a problem experienced only by men and teenagers; it has taken root among the mothers as well.

One treatment facility reported that of 100 surveyed former patients who were women, 44 percent had abused prescription drugs and 88 percent had done the same with alcohol. A shocking 60 percent of those who’d been treated for a problem with alcohol reported having driven a car while they were intoxicated, not just once or twice – but on a weekly basis.

Apart from the frightening danger of mothers who are driving kids to soccer and piano practice under the influence of substances, there’s the sad reality for children of being unsure what to expect from mom today. Mothers think they are successfully hiding behind the mask of perfectionism, but they would be surprised how many people see right through it.

If you are a woman who is trying to have it all but finding the pressure a bit crushing, think about how you are coping with the stress. If you find yourself craving something to help you manage, if you can’t stop using once you start or if you spend time planning for the next time you can use a substance, it’s time to contact Family Guidance Center to get some needed help.