Women develop cirrhosis of the liver after drinking less alcohol, and for a shorter period, than their male counterparts. Mortality rates from alcohol-related problems are 50 to 100 percent higher amongst female alcoholics than amongst male alcoholics. Women are less likely to seek treatment specifically for their addictions, and more likely to drop out of treatment. Although one Canadian study put the ratio of female to male alcoholics at 1 to 1.4, women comprise only about 1 in 5 clients in alcohol treatment. Women are more likely than men to be using prescription drugs like sedatives as their primary substance of abuse.
Men are more likely than women to use illicit drugs.
Women substance abusers are more likely to experience depression, eating disorders, agoraphobia, and other panic disorders than men are. Men are more likely to be subject to disorders related to paranoia and compulsive or antisocial behavior. Substance abusers, whether male or female, are more likely than the general population to be survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Women are generally more willing to talk about it. In women, alcohol abuse is more likely to be triggered by specific life crises.