From the Guidelines
An alcoholic woman is defined as someone who meets at least two of the 11 diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) as outlined in the DSM-V, which includes symptoms such as drinking more than intended, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, and continued use despite physical or psychological problems 1.
Definition of Alcoholic
The definition of an alcoholic woman is based on the presence of a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two of the following criteria:
- Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
- There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use
- A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from its effects
- Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use alcohol
- Recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home
- Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use
- Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous
- Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by alcohol
- Tolerance, as defined by either a need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or a markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol
- Withdrawal, as manifested by either the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol or alcohol (or a closely related substance) is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms 1.
Severity of AUD
The severity of AUD is defined as:
- Mild: The presence of 2 to 3 criteria
- Moderate: The presence of 4 to 5 criteria
- Severe: The presence of 6 or more criteria 1.
Risky Drinking in Women
For women specifically, risky drinking is defined as consuming more than 7 standard drinks per week or more than 3 drinks on any single day, with a standard drink containing about 14 grams of pure alcohol 1. Women are more vulnerable to alcohol's effects than men due to physiological differences, including lower body water content, less alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme activity, and hormonal factors that affect alcohol metabolism 1. This means women typically develop alcohol-related problems at lower consumption levels and over shorter time periods than men.
Treatment
Treatment typically involves a combination of counseling, support groups, and sometimes medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram 1. The goal of treatment is to reduce alcohol consumption, prevent relapse, and improve overall health and well-being. Early intervention and treatment can help prevent the development of more severe AUD and reduce the risk of alcohol-related health problems. Healthcare providers should routinely assess patients' drinking habits and provide brief behavioral counseling interventions to those who engage in risky or hazardous drinking 1.
From the Research
Definition of Alcoholic in a Woman
There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to define what constitutes an alcoholic in a woman. However, the studies provide information on the treatment and interventions for alcohol use disorders.
Key Findings
- The studies focus on the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) in treating alcohol use disorders 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The research suggests that CBT and MI can be effective in reducing alcohol consumption and improving quality of life 2, 3, 4.
- Technology-delivered CBT-based interventions have shown promise in treating alcohol use disorders 4, 6.
Treatment and Interventions
- CBT and MI can be used as stand-alone treatments or in combination with medication to treat alcohol use disorders 2, 3.
- Technology-based platforms, such as web-based programs and mobile applications, can provide widespread access to CBT-based interventions 4, 6.
- The components of CBT and MI, such as listing pros and cons of drinking and identifying high-risk situations, can be effective in reducing alcohol use 6.