Survey at de-addiction centres also lists alcoholism as most common addiction of females.
In all, 54% of all women who check into de-addiction clinics are married, the majority of them being housewives.
This startling fact came to light during a study conducted by Maharshri Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha’s Baya Karve Women’s Study Centre at four de-addiction centres in the city. Researcher Mrunalini Chitale, director of the study centre, led the survey along with Ashwini Tambe. They found that most women alcoholics started out as social drinkers and were initiated into drinking by their husbands. However, while their husbands found it easier at most times to restrict themselves to social drinking, stress and party culture drove the women to alcoholism.
Of the 371 women surveyed, alcoholism was found to be most common addiction followed by substance abuse. “As many as 176 women i.e. 47% reported that they fell prey to addiction as they couldn’t handle stress. The second common reason was influence of bad company reported by 30% of women interviewed. Majority of the women were in the age group of 31 to 40 years with the youngest being 14 years old,” said Chitale.
Researchers added that while families and husbands showed concern in admitting women to de-addiction centres, the concern didn’t reflect after admission to such clinics.
“During our interviews we learnt that women said their husbands did not turn up at partner counselling sessions held by de-addiction clinics. Even their children didn’t call up, often leading to depression in women. It made the process of de-addiction more difficult as familial support is most important in de-addiction,” said Tambe.
She added that it was also observed that women generally received support from her parental family, especially sisters.
Chitale added that an increasing trend was use of sleeping pills, medicines for psychiatric illness and even cough syrups. “These substances are easily available and don’t have any social taboo attached to them. Hence their abuse is on the rising trend, which is worrisome,” she warned.
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