Columbia University researchers have concluded that people born after World War II – especially women – are more likely to binge drink and develop alcohol disorders.
“The literature on alcohol consumption indicates that younger birth cohorts, especially women, are increasingly at risk for the development of alcohol use disorders,” said study author Katherine M. Keyes in a press release. “Given that alcoholism among women is increasing, there is a need for specific public health prevention and intervention efforts. Further, results suggest the environment increases the risk for alcoholism. While genetics play a substantial role, the generational differences between those born before and after World War II indicate that factors in the environment such as policies, laws, social norms, availability, and broader social context also contribute substantially to the underlying risk for alcohol use disorders in the population.”
The researchers reviewed 31 peer-reviewed and published studies for their report, which will be published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research in December.
In addition, women are twice as likely as men to develop depression and also exhibit more severe and frequent symptoms. According to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, this might be due to the molecular changes that are unique to the brains of women with depression, according to a press release.
A SAMHSA report released this year found that suicide rates among middle-aged women have sharply risen.
Heather Rudow is a staff writer for Counseling Today. Email her at hrudow@counseling.org.