NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Women with drinking problems may show it in different ways from men, which could make their alcohol abuse harder to detect, according to new research.

In a study of 2,750 men and women, researchers at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis found that the sexes showed some key differences in symptoms of problem drinking. For example, men more often reported problems like bingeing or getting into fights, but women were more likely to report feeling depressed or guilty about their drinking.

Psychologist Penny E. Nichol and her colleagues report the findings in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

Traditionally, the rate of drinking problems and overt alcohol dependence has been higher among men than women. However, researchers have suggested that one reason could be a potential "male slant" in the criteria used to diagnose these problems -- criteria developed largely from studies of men.

The weight given to "male-oriented" symptoms, including bingeing and aggressive behavior, may mean that women's early drinking problems fly under the radar in some cases.

"It's possible we aren't capturing women's symptoms," Nichol told Reuters Health.

The current findings suggest it might be useful to develop a separate female-oriented scale for alcohol problems -- or at least a "gender-neutral" one, according to Nichol and her colleagues. However, much more research is needed before that happens, she said.

The researchers arrived at their findings by asking study participants a wide range of questions on their drinking habits, as well as the effects their drinking had on their feelings and behavior. Of the 105 signs of alcohol abuse the study considered, there were significant gender differences in one third.
Men more often reported they binged, got into fights when drinking, or they needed to drink increasing amounts in order to get drunk. Women were less likely to report such male-oriented symptoms, but they were more likely to have symptoms of depression or to say they felt guilty when they drank -- two traits not usually assessed in standard measures of alcohol abuse.
Instead, these measures typically focus on "outward behaviors," like when and how much a person drinks, according to Nichol. It's thought that women, in contrast, might have more "internalizing" symptoms, she noted -- a theory the current findings support.

Further studies, she said, are needed to confirm that there are significant sex differences in problem-drinking symptoms. Then researchers can look at whether sex-specific measurements improve diagnosis.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditio ... index.html

it's clearly because they don't make as much money as men and can't afford good booze.

what are you trying to get at with all these male/female comparisons?

i think he's trying to figure out why something as inferior as any woman could not want to bed down with something as superior as he.

I think this is a bullshit argument. Just because someone feels guilty about something doesn't mean it's wrong or a problem. Mormons feel guilty when they masturbate. So what?


I've been through this with my wife. She feels guilty when she wants to have a glass of wine at 5:00 after a day of chasing our kids around. I tell her she deserves to have a glass of wine (or 3) after a day of chasing our kids around. It doesn't mean she has a drinking problem.

To me a drinking problem is being unable to stop oneself from drinking, not merely wanting a drink. I don't think that's just a "male" way of looking at it. As with all addictions, if it doesn't interfere with your health or other aspects of your life, how is it a problem?

Honestly, I thought this article was hilarious. The last male/female study was actually a real question as to why women don't make as much money as men. This one is just stupid and I thought it would generate a few laughs.
i.e.

I agree with this.

My wife and I argue about this every few weeks. She says I have a problem because I will go through periods where I drink every day but only like 3 or 4 beers. I say thats not a problem because it doesn't affect my work or my life at all. Good times when I drink often.

It actually might be a problem because I think after more than one or two drinks per day, you do start to see a negative impact on the liver. Even if you don't get drunk, your body still has to process that stuff. Any doctors in the house?

The liver can repair itself, unlike your lungs after 1 cigarette or a pack.

Lungs can repair themselves also. It just takes longer for them to start repairing.

I am the same way, I just feel guily having one drink if it's not the weekend. I have to justify it to myself and everyone around me. As a matter of fact, I don't think I started drinking til I was 20 or so because the guilt was overwhelming. I was taught that drinking was bad and a huge indulgence. Of course my father always drank more than my mother....

So my dad has a martini almost every night after work. A while ago, I had a beer every night after work for the span of 1 week. Mom was definitely on my case about having a drinking problem. She has never ever said a word to him though.

The problem with stress drinking is that some people use it as crutch after while. Stress can get worse and worse then people start to drink more and more. Then the excessive drinking leads to more stress, etc.

I'm aware of that.

never thought of the liver damage, but when i drink that much its usually for about 2 weeks then its maybe a 6 pack a week for a few weeks. but i guess i am comparing myself to my dad and grandpa who can drink a 24 pack a day with no problem.

yeah I'm not sure of the long term implications. I don't think it's good for you but it might not be bad.

I'm trying to drink more red wine than beer

if i drink one glass of wine I have a hangover the next day. I stay clear of wine.

"I'll have a vodka rocks"
"Mom, it's eight in the morning"
"...and a piece of toast."

Oh geez you guys have no trace of alcohol damage whatsoever.
It IS proven that a glass of red wine a day improves health in various ways. 6 pack a WEEK? C'mon.
Not sure, but it seems like this article is directed towards the effects of drinking more than 1 drink, say, at a bar or party.