<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Recent research has shown an alarming rise in addiction among women--here&amp;#x27;s why that&amp;#x27;s a major problem. According to Sarah Gentry, Clinical Director of Women&amp;amp;#8217;s Treatment Services at Hanley Center, there are lots of reasons for the rise. &amp;quot;It has become more acceptable for women to drink socially or use prescription medications in our society. Where once it was off limits to show a woman smoking a cigarette in a campaign, now women and their sexuality are used regularly in ads for social drinking. Prescription medications target women&amp;#x27;s anxiety and depression issues and offer that they are the solution for them to feel good enough to take care of the kids and participate in social settings,&amp;quot; she says. &amp;quot;It&amp;amp;#8217;s become an accepted social norm for women to commiserate over cocktails and calm their fears with anti-anxiety medication. The result is that many women are unable to recognize the difference between moderation and abuse. Family and friends play an important role in recognizing and preventing addiction--they&amp;#x27;re often the first to see the signs and symptoms of overuse.&amp;amp;#8221; Gentry adds that women with addiction issues are also kept hidden because of &amp;quot;social stigma that women aren&amp;#x27;t supposed to be addicts or alcoholics.&amp;quot; And because women are pulled in so many directions--work, family, spouse, friends, other commitments--they can often put themselves last, being caretakers for everyone except themselves, Gentry says. And what&amp;#x27;s especially concerning is that the warning signs in women are slightly different than the ones you might find in men. Gentry says that men &amp;quot;might start to keep financial secrets or exhibit aggressive or grandiose behavior,&amp;quot; while women &amp;quot;might avoid family and friends, disappear for periods of time, or make excuses for not being available.&amp;quot; Worried someone you know might be an addict? Take a look at these five warning signs: Forgetfulness: a consistent inability to remember significant details or past activities and conversations. Changes In Mood: unordinary, yet ongoing change in disposition including irregular irritability, anger and depression, with a lack of interest in important relationships. Change in Physical Appearance: a noticeable lack of interest in personal hygiene and appearance. Loss of Time: a disappearance for several hours or days without notifying family and friends. Inability to Control Drinking in Social Situations: attending social events leads to excessive drinking or daily activities are planned around drinking. Does anyone you know display these signs? Or has she in the past? How did you--and she--deal with it? More on addiction: * How Drug Addiction Affects Your Health (and Your Looks): Shocking Before and After Photos * "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2012/08/5-signs-a-woman-in-your-life-m>