WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Book: Women get hooked faster on lower levels of tobacco, alcohol and drugs

Book: Women get hooked faster on lower levels of tobacco, alcohol and drugs

(Washington-AP) February 9, 2006 - A leading research center says women get addicted to tobacco, alcohol and other substances faster and while using smaller amounts than men, and they pay a higher price in their health.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is publishing findings in a book released Thursday called "Women Under the Influence."

Susan Foster compiled a decade's worth of research, dividing issues into those affecting girls, adult women and older women.

She says that while the public may not be aware of the gender differences in metabolizing drugs, it's surprising that professionals have not altered treatment and prevention methods with the available information.

Foster says women develop health problems linked to substance abuse faster than men. Conditions that hit women harder than men include lung cancer, cirrhosis and brain damage from alcohol and drug use.

Posted 1:52pm by Bryce Mursch