Ladies beware-you may become an addict today.
According to a study released Wednesday, females are more easily addicted to cigarettes, alcohol and drugs than males. They get hooked faster on lesser amounts, and suffer consequences quicker and more severely.
This information comes as no surprise to many. Though there was only a 4 percent difference found in the percentage of boys and girls who smoke, drink and use drugs, the effect of society has such a profound impact on women that for years they have resorted to drug abuse.
Men do not endure as much stress as women. An eight-year study by the University of Tsukuba in Ibaraki-ken, Japan found that nearly 9,000 women and 7,000 men have high mental stress. Therefore, women may resort to alcohol and drugs to ease their pain.
Another contributing factor is physical abuse. One out of every six American (17.7 million) women are victims of rape. In comparison, only 2.78 million men have suffered the same abuse.
Perhaps the reason more women have substance abuse problems stems from the way media portrays alcohol with the common saying “sex sells.” Advertising agencies continue to exploit women in commercials.
When young girls see these ads they have nothing else to do but think it’s a good thing. Seeing beautiful ladies with beer parading on the TV would make nearly any girl turn to drugs and alcohol so she too can be a star.
This study is credible-sad as it may be. Hopefully alcohol and tobacco companies will realize the influence they have on young ladies after reading this study. If not, we will need more substance abuse programs.
Dominique Drake for The Famuan.