Substance-abusing Women Research Articles

Intersecting Realities: Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Substance Abuse in Women – A Holistic Treatment Approach

The intersection of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and substance abuse in women presents a clinical tableau rich with complexity and challenges. This review explores the intricate relationship between BDD—a disorder characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with perceived physical flaws—and substance abuse, where women may turn to drugs or alcohol as a maladaptive coping mechanism to alleviate the distress associated with BDD. A literature-focused methodology was employed in the study. In this context, databases such as PubMed, DergiPark, WoS, and ScienceDirect were utilized to explore the relevant literature. The analysis delves into the unique manifestation of BDD in women, influenced by societal, cultural, and psychological factors that often impose stringent beauty standards and exacerbate body image concerns. Patterns of substance abuse among women are discussed, highlighting the rapid progression from usage to dependency, known as telescoping, and the impact of societal stigma that compounds the struggles of women with addiction. Risk factors for both conditions are examined, with a focus on shared contributors such as trauma, mental health comorbidities, and societal pressures. Current treatment approaches are reviewed, advocating for an integrated model that combines psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and holistic or alternative interventions. The review emphasizes the importance of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for BDD and Medication-Assisted Treatment for substance abuse, as well as the inclusion of mindfulness, meditation, and gender- The conclusion reinforces the imperative of a cohesive treatment strategy, underscoring the need for gender-specific, trauma-informed care that understands and addresses the complex interplay between BDD and substance abuse in women. This comprehensive approach promises more effective support and a hopeful pathway to recovery for women entangled in the web of these co-occurring disorders.

Modeling and stability analysis of substance abuse in women with control policies

Substance abuse is considered to be predominantly a problem for all in society, and much substance abuse research is done with a male majority. Recent drug addiction studies, however, reveal that there are substantial gender variations in substance-related epidemiology. The epidemiology of women’s substance misuse raises issues distinct from those addressed by men’s substance abuse. Women with addictions are more likely than males to experience several impediments to accessing and entering substance misuse treatment. In this regard, we framed a mathematical model by considering the whole population as a women population. For this system, we found pair of equilibrium points namely the Addiction-free equilibrium point and the Non-trivial equilibrium point. Moreover, the addicts generation number (threshold parameter) RA has been found to investigate the spread of addiction. Also, the local and global stability analysis for both the equilibrium points have investigated. Further, to analyze the decrease and increase of the infected population and recovery population respectively, an optimum control analysis is done with two control parameters using Pontryagin’s maximum principle. The influence of addict generation numbers on significant parameters involved in RA has been shown. An optimum control study projected that social media awareness is substantially more efficient than the fixed control in optimizing drug addiction among women. Through numerical simulations we have exhibited, the effect of with and without control on each population. Finally, it produced positive efficacy by reducing the number of infected and increasing the rehabilitation population.

Substance Abuse in Women

Substance Abuse in Women

Вплив вживання психоактивних речовин та інфекцій, що передаються статевим шляхом, на цитологічний стан шийки матки

The introduction addresses the societal stigma surrounding psychoactive substance abuse and its implications for women’s health, particularly concerning cervical health. It sets the context for the study by highlighting the need to understand the impact of substance abuse and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on cervical health. Purpose - to investigate the effects of psychoactive substance abuse and concurrent STIs on the health of the cervix in women. The study seeks to identify correlations between substance abuse, STIs, and cervical pathologies, providing valuable insights for healthcare strategies. Materials and methods. The study involved a sample of 160 women divided into groups based on their use of psychoactive substances and the presence of STIs. Cervical cytological smears were collected and analysed using Romanowsky-Giemsa and Papanicolaou staining methods. This approach aimed to detect and categorize any cellular abnormalities in the cervical epithelium. Results. The findings revealed a significant correlation between the abuse of psychoactive substances and the frequency of squamous cell abnormalities in the cervix, especially in those with concurrent STIs. Conditions like koilocytosis and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) were notably prevalent among substance abusers, indicating an increased risk for cervical dysplasia and potential progression to cervical cancer. Conclusions. The study concludes that psychoactive substance abuse, particularly in combination with STIs, significantly increases the risk of cervical pathologies in women. This underscores the necessity for enhanced cervical cancer screening and prevention strategies targeted at women who abuse psychoactive substances. The findings highlight the importance of addressing substance abuse and STIs in women’s health programs and public health initiatives, especially in high-risk groups. The study protocol was approved by the Local ethics committees of the institutions mentioned in the paper. An informed parental consent was obtained for the study in women. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

Predictors of Drug Abuse Relapse for Iranian Addicted Women: An Application of Social Cognitive Theory

Objectives: Substance abuse prevalence has risen over the past decade among women, and accordingly, sex-specific barriers impede women’s access and participation in treatment programs, while the chief issue in providing treatment programs for women with substance abuse is the high relapse rate seen in the subjects. With all these in mind, the present study was conducted with the objective of recognizing the sociocognitive factors that concern the relapse of substance abuse in women. Methods: Two hundred women subjects under treatment in outpatient addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers in Kurdistan province in 2019 participated in this descriptive study. Data were obtained by means of a questionnaire that included demographic questions, history of substance use, and structures of social cognitive theory. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 21 that further used logistic regression, χ2, and independent t tests. Results: The average age of the respondents was estimated 37.75±10.49. The relapse rate amounted to 80% among the participants. Logistic regression test analysis designated that the structures of situational perception, social support, and self-efficacy act as the factors that predict substance abuse relapses in women (R=0.42; P<0.05). Conclusions: Social cognitive theory is considered a valid theoretical method for deciphering the relation observed between substance abuse relapse predictors in women. Therapists’ consciousness on gaining social support and strengthening self-efficacy in the subjects may serve to improve the aftermaths of substance abuse treatment programs in women.

Discussion Protocol for Alleviating Epistemic Injustice: The Case of Community Rehabilitation Interaction and Female Substance Abusers

Substance-abusing women are vulnerable to specific kinds of epistemic injustice, including stigmatization and discrimination. This article examines the development of the epistemic agency of female substance abusers by asking: How does the use of a formal discussion protocol in community rehabilitation interaction alleviate epistemic injustice and strengthen the epistemic agency of substance abusers? The data were collected in a Finnish rehabilitation center by videotaping six group discussions between social workers, peer support workers, and rehabilitation clients with substance abuse problems. Of these data, one recorded group discussion between four female participants—two rehabilitation clients, a peer support worker, and a social adviser—was used in this paper. Using conversational analysis, the findings indicate that, through the collaborative activities of sharing experiential knowledge about substance abuse and discussing the experiences of abuse in the rehabilitation interaction, substance abusers can develop novel ways to strengthen their epistemic agency by enhanced self-awareness. The discussion protocol is an epistemic tool that professionals and clients can learn to use in ethically and epistemologically successful ways in interaction. The use of a discussion protocol is an example of social professionals’ clinical knowledge of intensifying collaboration and sharing experiential knowledge in community rehabilitation and other substance abuse services.

Cocaine-Induced Sensitization is Linked to Distal Chromosome 6 Region in Congenic Mouse Model

ObjectivePreviously we mapped QTL Eac2 to mouse Chr6 and identified the first gene (Grm7) as accounting for alcohol consumption in a mammalian model. Despite the central role of glutamate receptors in addiction, the effects of Grm7 gene variants are not well known. Here we test the hypothesis that genetic variation of the distal mouse Chr6 Eac2 region, location of Grm7, controls cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization. MethodC57BL/6By background and B6.C6.327.54 congenic mice were subjected to whole-genome SNP genotyping. Isogeneic (C57BL/6ByXB6.C6.327.54)F2 mice homozygous for SNPs in the BALB/c-type Eac2 region were selected to create a subcongenic strain (B6By.C6.108-120). In a 2-strain x 2-sex 2-treatment factorial design (n = 6-10) C57BL/6By and B6By.C6.108-120 mice received repeated daily cocaine or saline intraperitoneal injections, and locomotor activity was recorded for 90 minutes immediately after injection. ResultsC57BL/6By females with the G/G genotype of SNP rs3723352 of Grm7 responded to cocaine with significantly higher activity and greater cocaine-induced sensitization than those with the BALB/cJ-type T/T genotype in the congenic strain. ConclusionThe results are consistent with a large body of accumulated mechanistic evidence for a role of the mGlu7 receptor in the control of neurobiological responses to cocaine, and are consistent with the hypotheses that (1) natural variants of the Grm7 gene show pleiotropy and can modulate cocaine-induced behaviors in addition to alcohol consumption, (2) interactions between mGluR7 expression, estrogen receptors, and estradiol may explain phenotypic variation in females. Heritable variation of GRM7 may affect vulnerability to substance abuse in women.

Trends in Contraceptive Methods Among Substance Abusers Reveals Unmet Need [36I

INTRODUCTION: Female substance abusers are a vulnerable population facing numerous barriers to care, especially gynecological health. Access to contraception is a crucial part of women’s health; however, research on contraceptive use in substance abusers is limited. Our aim was to investigate contraceptive methods in a women’s substance abuse rehabilitation facility. METHODS: Data was taken from 697 intake surveys of reproductive-aged women between 2013 and 2019. Analysis examined contraceptive use by sociodemographic variables. Trends were compared with data from 2015-2017 National Surveys of Family Growth and 2017 state-level data from the CDC. RESULTS: The majority of women did not use contraceptives (40.3%), were sterilized (22.7%) or used condoms (21.1%). Compared to national and Louisiana-specific rates, this data reveals significantly higher proportions of no contraception and sterilization; conversely, there were lower rates of hormonal and long-acting reversible contraceptive methods (6.9; 4.9%). Substance-abusing women reported sterilization at a younger age (37) compared to national averages. 64.8% reported Medicaid enrollment; education and insurance were independent of contraceptive choice (X2=5.76, P=.22; X2=3.15, P=.53; P<.05). CONCLUSION: Women in rehabilitation reported both a high rate of sterilization, and limited use of reversible contraceptives. Lack of variability in method could include amenorrhea from chronic substance use, mistrust of the healthcare system, and inadequate education on gynecological health. Residential rehabilitation facilities provide a unique opportunity for providers to deliver contraceptive education in a positive, encouraging environment, while women are focused on making positive lifestyle changes. Addressing this need would give these women greater autonomy over their health and fertility.

Differential implications of persistent, remitted, and late-onset ADHD symptoms for substance abuse in women and men: A twin study from ages 11 to 24

BackgroundPersistence and emergence of ADHD in adulthood are associated with substance problems. We investigate differential implications of ADHD course for tobacco, alcohol, or marijuana problems by sex, then whether substance misuse results from ADHD or contributes to it, through a twin differences design. MethodsA population-based cohort of 998 twins (61 % monozygotic; 52 % female), born in Minnesota from 1988 to 1994, was prospectively assessed from ages 11–24. Childhood ADHD was oversampled. At age 24, 255 had a history of childhood-onset ADHD (160 persistent, 95 remitted); 93 had late-onset ADHD symptoms identified in late-adolescence/adulthood. Persistent, remitted, and late-onset groups were compared to those without ADHD (N = 459) on childhood characteristics and age-24 substance problems. ResultsPersistent and late-onset groups differed in childhood; twin concordances suggested greater genetic etiology for persistent ADHD. As adolescents, however, both groups were high in conduct problems; by adulthood, they were comparably high in substance problems. In particular, women whose ADHD persisted were 5 times more likely to develop tobacco use disorder than women without ADHD. Remitted ADHD was associated with less-increased risk, except for alcohol problems among women. Consistent with possible causality, monozygotic female twins with more age-17 ADHD symptoms than co-twins had more age-24 tobacco symptoms; a similar association was found for alcohol. ConclusionsPresence or emergence of ADHD in early adulthood increases substance problems to a greater degree for women than men. While effects of substances on later ADHD were not statistically significant, detection was limited by the relative rarity of late-adolescent substance symptoms.

Mental disorders and obstetric diseases in high risk gestations

Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of major depression disorder, anxiety disorders and substance abuse in women with high-risk pregnancy and identify maternal-fetal pathologies and other variables associated with higher prevalence of mental disorders. Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 46 women in the high-risk gestation outpatient clinic of the Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand in Fortaleza - Ceará. A sociodemographic and a clinical data questionnaire were applied, as well as Abuse Assesment Screen, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Alcohol Smoking and Substance Screening Test. Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview (MINI) was applied to women with positive screening in the mentioned scales. Results: Using the screening tools, the prevalence was 30.4% for depression and 52.2% for anxiety; with the MINI the prevalence was 30,4% and 34,8%, respectively. Pregnant women with cardiac diseases had a 66,7% depression prevalence and a 77.8% anxiety prevalence, both higher than those with other pathologies. Depression and anxiety were also associated with unwanted pregnancy and domestic violence during life. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression and anxiety was high in this sample of pregnant women and the associated risk factors need to be understood, so that better interventions in the treatment of pregnant women can be implemented.

“The Traps Started During My Childhood”: The Role of Substance Abuse in Women’s Responses to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

ABSTRACT The gendered pathways perspective seeks to identify the biological, psychological, and social realities that lead to women’s law-breaking behavior. Prior research in this area demonstrates the link between women’s adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and involvement in the criminal justice system later in life. The current study fills an important gap in the literature by providing a phenomenological description of the impacts ACEs had upon 19 community supervised women’s lives. Their stories illuminate the need to consider multiple forms of ACEs, from physical and sexual abuse to the death of a loved one. Interviewees’ most prevalent response to ACEs was substance abuse. Three major themes related to their pathways to substance abuse emerged: coping/self-medication, escaping insecure households, and familial influences. Narratives were developed around each theme to provide an in-depth understanding of women’s ACEs and substance abuse. Theoretical and policy implications for women involved in the criminal justice system are discussed.

Barriers to Quitting Addiction in Iranian Women: A Qualitative Study

Background: Substance abuse in women is a major public health problem, and despite the efforts to help women quit permanently, great numbers still end up in relapse. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the barriers to quitting addiction in Iranian women. Methods: In this descriptive qualitative research conducted in a university-affiliated hospital, Kerman, Iran, during 2016 - 2017, participants were selected using criterion sampling. The researchers interviewed 20 women with the mean age of 29.85 years (SD = 6.50), who were visiting two rehabilitation camps in the city of Kerman to quit the addiction. Transcripts were analyzed to find themes, which represented the shared consensus of the participants. The utilization of the qualitative analysis software MAXQDA 12 helped analyze and manage data of the study. Results: The participants of the study reported that easy access to drugs, keeping in touch with drug users, the stability of attitudes, lack of/insufficient social support, coercive treatment, and neglecting Narcotic Anonymous (NA) meetings were barriers to the process of quitting addiction permanently and escalating relapse. Conclusions: In order to facilitate the process of quitting addiction in women, access to drugs as well as keeping in touch with drug users must be restricted. Moreover, they should be encouraged to take part in educational and support programs, whose aim is to change the attitude of substance users and to motivate them to quit the addiction.

Substance use disorders in pregnancy: clinical, ethical, and research imperatives of the opioid epidemic: a report of a joint workshop of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American Society of Addiction Medicine

Substance use disorders in pregnancy: clinical, ethical, and research imperatives of the opioid epidemic: a report of a joint workshop of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American Society of Addiction Medicine

Service Needs of Pregnant Substance Abuse Women Seeking Residential Drug Treatment in Hong Kong: a Practice-Based Research

This study aims at exploring the sociodemographic characteristics, service needs, reasons, and timing of pregnant substance abuse women seeking residential drug treatment in Hong Kong. The sample includes nine pregnant substance abuse women who were admitted to the Sister Aquinas Memorial Women’s Treatment Centre of the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers from September 2016 to August 2017. Content analysis on service records was used to identify themes and patterns of service needs, followed by focus group discussions from four experienced social workers. The study reveals that pregnant substance abuse women are usually from complicated social backgrounds. The findings imply the need of designing, implementing, and advocating an integrative service model to meet the multiple needs of pregnant substance abuse women and the importance of establishing closed linkage with medical and social service units in the community to facilitate early intervention.

Substance Abuse and its Associated Factors among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Southeast of Iran.

BackgroundThe data on the prevalence of substance abuse in Iranian pregnant women is scarce in the current literature. This study investigated the prevalence of and the factors associated with substance abuse among pregnant women, and compared self-reported use with urine test results.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included data for 2000 pregnant women admitted to a tertiary care hospital in the southeast of Iran. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics and the patterns of substance use. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with opiate use. A subsample (200 women) was randomly selected to provide urine samples for toxicological screening.FindingsThe lifetime prevalence of substance abuse and tobacco smoking was 15% and 31%, respectively. Overall, 3.3% of the participants reported using at least one substance during the previous month. One third of pregnant women reported using substances as a home remedy for treatment of pregnancy related health problems. Overall, 23% of the urine screening tests were positive. The agreement between self-reported substance abuse and the results of the urine tests was poor. Factors associated with opiates use in pregnant women were age at the first pregnancy of less than 20 years, living in rural areas, unwanted pregnancy, lack of healthcare during pregnancy, and having a spouse and/or first-degree family member with substance abuse.ConclusionThis study showed a high prevalence of substance abuse among the studied women. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach to provide preventive educational programs during pregnancy, and interviews and urinary screening of all pregnant women is recommended.

A comparative study of the effectiveness of group-based cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy in reducing depressive symptoms in Iranian women substance abusers

Various therapeutic approaches have been used to improve depressive symptoms in substance abusers. In a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and experimental and control groups, we examined and compared the effectiveness of two group-based treatment strategies—cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)—in reducing depressive symptoms among Iranian women substance abusers. The statistical population included all female addict patients who referred to addiction treatment centers of Birjand city in 2015. A sample of 30 subjects were selected through the available sampling method and randomly assigned into experimental (CBT and DBT) and control groups (each group, 10 patients). The data collection instrument was the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire. The patients in the experimental groups were given skills in eight sessions of 90 min. The data were analyzed by the SPSS-19 software by using mean, standard deviation, and percentages at the descriptive level and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test at the inferential level. The comparison of the mean depression score before intervention in all the groups showed no significant difference. However, after intervention, the findings showed that both CBT and DBT interventions could reduce the mean scores of depression in women substance abusers, 17.5 ± 3.0 vs 29.3 ± 4.1 (F[1,17] = 51.91, p value < 0.01) and 14.7 ± 1.8 vs 29.3 ± 4.1 (F[1,17] = 106.62, p value < 0.01), respectively, for CBT and DBT. Post-treatment effect sizes were large and did not differ statistically for CBT (ηp2, 0.75) and DBT (ηp2, 0.86). Therefore, this study highlights the importance of CBT and DBT skills training to substance abusers and provides initial evidence of their effectiveness.

Women and substance abuse: gender-specific social, biological and psychological differences and treatment considerations

Until recently, substance abuse research focused almost entirely on men – leaving women underrepresented or overlooked entirely. Traditional methods of treatment were developed on the findings of purely male-centric research which was applied to the entire population. Research has since identified a number of gender-specific variables which limit the application of these approaches and present a case for the universal implementation of treatment-types developed specifically for women. This article represents an exploration of the cultural expectations, trauma and adverse life experiences together with comorbidity of psychiatric disorders and the role of ovarian hormones in the onset and treatment of substance abuse in women.

The Telescoping Phenomenon: Origins in Gender Bias and Implications for Contemporary Scientific Inquiry

ABSTRACTBackground: In an article published in International Journal of the Addictions in 1989, Nick Piazza and his coauthors described “telescoping,” an accelerated progression through “landmark symptoms” of alcoholism, among a sample of recovering women. Objectives: The aim of this critical analysis is to apply a feminist philosophy of science to examine the origins of the framework of telescoping research and its implications for contemporary scientific inquiry. Methods: A feminist philosophy of science framework is outlined and applied to key source publications of telescoping literature drawn from international and United States-based peer-reviewed journals published beginning in 1952. Results: A feminist philosophy of science framework identifies gender bias in telescoping research in three ways. First, gender bias was present in the early conventions that laid the groundwork for telescoping research. Second, a “masculine” framework was present in the methodology guiding telescoping research. Third, gender bias was present in the interpretation of results as evidenced by biased comparative language. Conclusions: Telescoping research contributed to early evidence of critical sex and gender differences helping to usher in women's substance abuse research more broadly. However, it also utilized a “masculine” framework that perpetuated gender bias and limited generative, novel research that can arise from women-focused research and practice. A feminist philosophy of science identifies gender bias in telescoping research and provides an alternative, more productive approach for substance abuse researchers and clinicians.

Women Substance Abuse a Rising Problem in India

This paper traces the role of Substance abuse among women in India. In the last few years, attention has shifted from male to female substance abuse in India. As the numbers of female substance abusers perpetuate to elevate, researches and studies deliberate to understand gender-centric etiological factors, ill effects, phenomenology, outcome, and obstruction cognate to treatment with the aim to develop more efficacious treatment programs. Though, because of non-recognition of women substance abusers, the studies on Indian women substance abusers population being sparse. This paper tries to highlight the issues and rising problem of women substance abuse in India.

Strength in the midst of pain: Abuse as a predictor of sexual relationship power among substance-abusing Black women

ABSTRACTThe aim of this research was to explore the association of abuse experiences (child sexual abuse and adult physical/sexual violence) to sexual relationship power among Black substance-abusing women. The study was a secondary analysis of baseline data collected from 124 Black women in 12 drug treatment programs across the United States who initially participated in an HIV risk reduction trial conducted within the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The findings revealed that adult sexual abuse, but not childhood sexual or adult physical abuse, was associated with lower relationship control and decision-making dominance as measured by the Sexual Relationship Power Scale. The findings suggest that designing and implementing sexual risk reduction interventions that address adult sexual violence may enhance the relationship power of Black substance-abusing women and in turn may promote safer sex practices.