Alcoholism Treatment Program for Women at Balboa Horizons
Alcoholism is a disease that has long been associated with men. Social expectations of women feed the misconception that females do not experience alcohol-related problems to the extent that men do. In reality, about one-third of all alcoholics are women and the disease actually develops quicker in females. However, many female alcoholics share the mentality that alcoholism is a male disease. This mentality brings on feelings of shame and denial about their illness, often barring them from admitting to their problem or seeking treatment.
Loved ones will often partake in the denial and avoid intervention for fear of insulting the female alcoholic or being too harsh. These are fears that are not a typically a concern when addressing male alcoholics. This stigma serves only to endanger the female alcoholic. As one writer noted, “more female alcoholics die in their living rooms than in the street.” The disease of alcoholism is equally severe among women and men. However, the circumstances of denial and recommended approaches to recovery vary greatly among genders. To understand more about how alcoholism affects women specifically, it is important to first understand the general nature of alcoholism.
Alcoholism is a disease that has no respect for gender, age, race, profession or social standing. Perhaps the most common misconception concerning alcoholism is that the disease involves an extreme lack of willpower. This is entirely false as willpower is of absolutely no use when dealing with alcoholism. When an alcoholic drinks alcohol in any amount, they experience a physiological reaction known as craving that drives them to drink more and more, despite extreme intoxication or negative consequences. www.balboahorizons.com
