WOMEN AND DRUG ADDICTION IN IOWA
Women also face unique issues when it comes to substance use. Scientists who study addiction and drug abuse discovered that women who use drugs can have issues related to hormones, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, and the menstrual cycle. In addition, women themselves describe unique reasons for using drugs. Some women do it to control weight, fight exhaustion, cope with pain, and to try and self-treat mental health problems. 19.5 million, or 15.4 percent, of women ages 18 and above have used illicit drugs in the past year. Women abuse substances differently than men. Divorce, loss of child custody, or the death of a partner or child can trigger women’s substance use or other mental health disorders. And similarly, they also respond to substances differently. From 1999 to 2014, the number of women with opioid use disorder at labor and delivery quadrupled. They may take smaller amounts of certain drugs for less time before they become addicted. Women may have more drug cravings and may be more likely to relapse after treatment. Hormones can make women more sensitive to the effects of some drugs. Women have also been found to be more prone to physical effects on their heart and blood vessels. Because of this, women are also more likely to die from overdose. Women who are victims of domestic violence have an increased risk of substance use. Substance use during pregnancy is another factor that makes the experience unique for women. Drug abuse while pregnant is very risky to the woman’s health and that of her children. It can have both short term and long term effects on both of them. Most drugs could potentially harm an unborn baby. Some substances also increase the risk of miscarriage while also causing migraines, seizures, or high blood pressure in the mother—all of which may affect her fetus. This is why pregnant women should always check with their health care provider before taking any medications. When a woman uses drugs regularly during pregnancy, the baby can go through withdrawal after birth. This condition is called neonatal abstinence syndrome or NAS. NAS can occur if a pregnant woman uses opioids, alcohol, caffeine, and some prescription sedatives. The severity of a baby’s withdrawal symptoms depend on the drug used and the mother’s drug habits. Symptoms of NAS in a newborn can develop immediately or up to 14 days after birth. Common symptoms of NAS include: diarrhea, fever, increased heart rate, irritability, rapid breathing, seizures, sleep problems, slow weight gain, vomiting, and trembling.
