Does female alcoholism really exist?

There is no such thing as "female alcoholism," just as there is no "male" or "adolescent" alcoholism. This is a societal classification, not a medical term. Addiction arises and is treated independently of gender.

Using such terminology stigmatizes women, causing shame and feelings of guilt.

Women find it more difficult to acknowledge this problem due to societal expectations and stereotypes of what a "real" woman should be.

Symptoms of alcoholism

If a person drinks a bottle of beer or a glass of wine every day, it does not necessarily mean they are developing alcoholism. Symptoms indicating the development of alcohol addiction include:

• Inability to limit the amount of alcohol consumed
• Desire to limit alcohol intake and unsuccessful attempts to do so
• Strong craving for alcohol
• Inability to fulfill personal or professional responsibilities due to alcohol
• Consumption of alcohol even when it leads to problems or danger, such as drunk driving
• Complete or partial abandonment of work or hobbies
• Development of tolerance to alcohol – needing to drink more than before to achieve the desired level of intoxication

These symptoms are a reason to consult a narcologist. Sometimes, individuals with addiction ignore the symptoms, so it is important to listen to your loved ones if they express concern and ask you to drink less or abstain from alcohol.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.