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Substance use in women: Current status and future directions
Rakesh Lal1, Koushik Sinha Deb1, Swati Kedia2
1Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|September 3, 2015
Summary
Female substance use is rising, prompting research into gender-specific factors and treatment needs. This review focuses on alcohol and drug use in women, particularly in India, where data is limited.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Substance Abuse Research
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Historically, alcohol and substance use was considered a male issue.
- Recent decades show a rise in female substance use, necessitating gender-specific research.
- Existing literature predominantly originates from Western countries, with limited data from developing nations like India.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pertinent issues of alcohol and substance use in women.
- To highlight the specific situation and challenges in India.
- To inform the development of more effective, gender-tailored treatment programs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on female substance use.
- Analysis of gender-specific etiological factors, phenomenology, course, and outcomes.
- Emphasis on data from India and comparative insights.
Main Results:
- Growing body of research on women's substance use, but data from India remains sparse.
- Understanding gender-specific aspects is crucial for effective intervention.
- Need for culturally relevant and gender-sensitive treatment approaches.
Conclusions:
- Addressing the rising trend of substance use in women requires focused research and tailored interventions.
- The situation in India presents unique challenges and necessitates further investigation.
- Developing effective treatment programs must consider gender-specific needs and socio-cultural contexts.
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