Women, Girls and Substance Abuse
A three-year study on women and young girls (ages 8–22) from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University revealed that girls and young women use substances for reasons different than boys and young men. The study also found that the signals and situations of higher risk are different and that girls and young women are more vulnerable to abuse and addiction: they get hooked faster and suffer the consequences sooner than boys and young men. (National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, The Formative Years: Pathways to Substance Abuse Among Girls and Young Women Ages 8–22 (PDF), February 2003)
Facts and Figures
According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 42.9% of women ages 12 or older reported using an illicit drug at some point in their lives. Approximately 12.2% of females ages 12 and older reported past year use of an illicit drug and 6.3% reported past month use of an illicit drug. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, September 2009)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 34.5% of female high school students surveyed nationwide in 2007 used marijuana during their lifetime. This is down from 35.9% in 2005 and 37.6% in 2003. Inhalant abuse among surveyed high school females has increased from 11.4% in 2003, to 13.5% in 2005 and 14.3% in 2007. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Online: Comprehensive Results, 2008)
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ONDCP Initiatives
ONDCP's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign utilizes a blend of paid advertising and public communications/earned media outreach, and has developed a brand, Above The Influence, which empowers all teens to reject drugs and any other negative influence in their lives. By embracing teen girls' unique life stage and supporting their struggle with self-identity, the Media Campaign facilitates healthy decisions to reject drugs and other negative influences. For example, in “Girls' Journal” three girls provide their personal stories and advice about tough times in high school. The Above the Influence messaging, which highlights short- and long-term social and health consequences, is seen and heard in environments where teen girls chose to be. The Campaign's targeted media approach has national reach, involves multiple channels, and engages teen girls in print, television, radio and online messaging.
In addition to the Above the Influence brand targeting teens, ONDCP's Media Campaign has launched an initiative aimed at reducing drug use among teen girls by raising awareness among parents that teenage girls are particularly vulnerable to substance abuse and other risky behaviors. Data shows that, contrary to conventional wisdom, girls have caught up to boys with regard to illicit drug and alcohol use, and in some cases, such as prescription drug abuse and cigarette smoking, have surpassed them. ONDCP continues to reinforce the fact that girls have unique vulnerabilities which can lead to substance abuse and that drug and alcohol use has a more profound impact on teen girls, both physically and psychologically. Featured at www.TheAntiDrug.com, the Media Campaign created a special feature titled "Girls and Drugs," which includes tips for parents about raising healthy girls, facts about teen girls' risk for drug abuse, tips and ideas about activities for parents to do with their teen daughters, and an e-card for parents to send to their teen daughters.
Recent Outreach
Director Kerlikowske visits WestCare Village South
Director
Kerlikowske recently visited WestCare Village South in Miami Florida. He
spoke at the treatment program graduation ceremony and talked with residents
about the benefits of receiving treatment while maintaining custody of their
children. The Village South Children’s Center consists of a day
and evening child-care program for children who are either current residents
of The Village with their mothers/fathers.
Recent News
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is awarding $14.7 million over three years in grants to support residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women (PPW) in need of services for substance use disorders. More.
FAQs
Treatment
How can I help a loved one who I think may be using drugs?
The following Web site has been developed for individuals who are concerned
about a loved one's use of drugs:
If you would like to speak with a treatment provider to learn of possible treatment opportunities for your loved one, please visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Facility Locator Web site or call SAMHSA's Treatment Hotline at 800-662-HELP (4357).
What should I do if I think my friend is using drugs?
The following Web sites and resources have been developed for individuals who
are concerned about a friend's use of drugs:
- A Guide for Teens: Does your friend have an alcohol or other drug problem? What can you do to help?
- Helping Others with a Drug Problem
- Step Up: Have a Friend That Needs Help?
Statistics
Where can I find data on female use of alcohol and other drugs?
Data on alcohol and other drug use among those aged 12 and older can be found
in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's annual National
Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Additionally, youth use of alcohol or other drugs by gender can be found in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and the University of Michigan/National Institute on Drug Abuse's Monitoring the Future study.
How many women are admitted to treatment for alcohol or other drug
use?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's annual Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) report provides data on admissions to treatment facilities throughout the United States. During 2007, there were nearly 590,000 female admissions to drug/alcohol treatment in the United States, representing 32.3% of the total admissions to treatment during the year.
Research
What is the potential impact of using drugs while pregnant?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has created a Prenatal
Effects page to focus on the impact that a mother's drug use can have on
the developing fetus.
Additional Resources
This section provides information about and links to international resources, articles and publications, and related Web sites that focus on women, girls and substance abuse issues.
International Efforts
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
The ASEAN Committee on Women has convened different regional workshops, seminars,
training sessions and consultative meetings that provided platforms for government
officials, civil society organizations, professionals and other stakeholders
to exchange views, share experiences and build commitments and a common understanding
on various gender issues.
United Nations Office on Drugs
and Crime (UNODC)
UNODC is mandated to assist Member States in their struggle against illicit
drugs, crime and terrorism. In pursuing its objectives, UNODC makes every effort
to integrate and mainstream the gender perspective, particularly in its projects
for the provision of alternative livelihoods, as well as those against human
trafficking.
United States Department of State
Within the U.S. Department of State are the following programs, which focus
on efforts related to international drug control and prevention and as well
as issues specifically related to women:
- Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
- Office on Global Women's Issues
- Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
Articles and Publications
A Collection of NIDA NOTES Articles That Address Women and Sex/Gender Differences Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse, July 2009
This resource contains a compilation of NIDA Notes articles that focus on substance abuse and treatment among women.
Girls and Drugs
- A New Analysis: Recent Trends, Risk Factors and Consequences (PDF)
Office of National Drug Control Policy, February 2006
This report provides analyses of findings on alcohol and other drug use trends
among girls.
NewsScan-Women & Substance Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse, October 2006
This issue focuses on scientific investigations that relate to gender
in medical treatment and research.
Substance Abuse in Women: Does Gender Matter?
Psychiatric Times, January 2007
This article reviews medical treatment and research studies that detail the contrasts of gender in substance use disorders.
Treatment of Women with Substance Abuse Problems
National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1998
From the September 1994 conference “Drug Addiction Research and the Health of Women,” this article provides an expanded review of research on the treatment of women with substance abuse problems.
U.S. Drug Czar Visits
The Next Door
The Next Door, June 2009
This article highlights ONDCP Director Kerlikowske's May 2009 visit to The
Next Door, a Nashville-Tennessee program dedicated to helping women who are
re-entering society from incarceration, rehabilitation, or homelessness.
Women and Substance Abuse
Association for Psychological Science, Observer, April 2006
This article summarizes a six-person panel, called "For Women Only: Gender Difference and Substance Abuse," which was part of a conference sponsored by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.
Women in Substance Abuse
Treatment: Results From the Alcohol and Drug Services Study (ADSS)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, September 2005
This resource presents an in-depth analysis of substance abuse treatment clients
and facilities, with a special focus on women.
See more Publications related
to women and girls
Online Resources
National Women's Health Information Center
(NWHIC)
NWHIC provides a gateway to the vast array of Federal and other women's health
information resources.
Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH)
ORWH serves as the focal point for women's health research at the National
Institutes of Health.
Women & Sex/Gender
Differences Research
This National Institute on Drug Abuse program serves to promote the conduct
and dissemination of research on women's health and sex/gender differences
