Gender Differences In Addiction Research Articles

Gender Differences in Addiction

This review is aimed at reviewing gender differences in addictive disorders. A brief overview of the topic is given and then the review is broken down into substances. As a full overview of each substance would not be possible, this review is aimed at looking at the most commonly seen substances as well as behavioral addictions that have robust literature. Gender differences in substance use disorders and behavioral addictions appear to be multifactorial, with intrinsic hormonal factors of the reward system and external factors such as the expectations and gender roles or norms of a given society. When diagnosing or treating addictive disorders, both natal and identified gender must be considered, as they can have implications on diagnosis, course of disease, and treatment. Though not all encompassing on what a clinician needs to be familiar with, this review should serve as a guide to make providers aware of and to begin to familiarize oneself with these gender differences.

Sociocultural context for sex differences in addiction.

In this review, we discuss the importance of investigating both sex and gender differences in addiction and relapse in studies of humans and in animal models. Addiction is both a cultural and biological phenomenon. Sex and gender differences are not solely determined by our biology, nor are they entirely cultural; they are interactions between biology and the environment that are continuously played out throughout development. Lessons from the historical record illustrate how context and attitudes affect the way that substance use in men and women is regarded. Finally, cultural and environmental influences may differentially affect men and women, and affect how they respond to drugs of abuse and to treatment protocols. We recommend that both animal models and clinical research need to be developed to consider how contextual and social factors may influence the biological processes of addiction and relapse differentially in men and women.

Editorial: Exploring Gender and Sex Differences in Behavioral Dyscontrol: From Drug Addiction to Impulse Control Disorders.

Editorial: Exploring Gender and Sex Differences in Behavioral Dyscontrol: From Drug Addiction to Impulse Control Disorders.

Gender differences in clinical outcomes for cocaine dependence: Randomized clinical trials of behavioral therapy and disulfiram

BackgroundDespite extensive research on gender differences in addiction, there are relatively few published reports comparing treatment outcomes for women versus men based on evidence-based treatments evaluated in randomized clinical trials. MethodsAn aggregate sample comprised of data from five randomized clinical trials of treatment for cocaine dependence (N=434) was evaluated for gender differences in clinical outcomes. Secondary analyses compared gender differences in outcome by medication condition (disulfiram versus no medication) and across multiple behavioral treatment conditions. ResultsWomen, compared with men, had poorer treatment outcomes on multiple measures of cocaine use during treatment and at post-treatment follow-up. These results appear to be primarily accounted for by disulfiram being less effective in women compared with men. There was no evidence of meaningful gender differences in outcome as a function of the behavioral therapies evaluated. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that women and men may benefit to similar degrees from some empirically validated behavioral treatments for addiction. Conversely, some addiction pharmacotherapies, such as disulfiram, may be associated with poorer outcomes among women relative to men and point to the need for careful assessment of pharmacological treatments in both sexes prior to widespread clinical implementation.

Alcohol & Drug Abuse: What Is "Women-Focused" Treatment for Substance Use Disorders?

Alcohol & Drug Abuse: What Is "Women-Focused" Treatment for Substance Use Disorders?

Gender differences in addiction and recovery.

THE DIFFERENT WAYS in which drug addiction is affected by gender was the theme of a daylong symposium held at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, January 29, 2000 as part of their Campus on the Mall continuing education program. The conference, entitled, “Sex, Science, and Drugs: Gender Differences in Addiction and Recovery,” brought together some of the top thinkers in the addiction field—before a mixed audience of laypersons and research scientists. Cosponsored by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Society for Women’s Health Research, the panels raised many questions, offered some potential answers, and, finally, stated that men and women turn to drugs in gender-specific ways and for gender-specific reasons.