However, they are frequently coerced into unwanted activity if both partners are drinking. This kind of attitude kept us from manifesting our alcoholism because it just wasn't socially acceptable. Geller reported that today one-third of all alcoholics are women, and that the number of men addicted to illicit drugs is double that of women. But for prescription drug dependence, women exceed men, especially in older populations. Those extra seven years are not years of joy and good health.
Women are more likely to get medicated with psychoactive drugs to which they can become dependent.
But this issue of heavy drinking in women needs medical intervention. Geller said women's livers are much more sensitive than men's livers. It may be related to estrogen. But we do know women get liver damage at a much lower threshold than men. For women, a safe level of alcohol consumption is no more than one drink a day, and not more than three drinks on any one occasion.