[Alcoholic disease in women, what specificities?]

Alcoholic disease in women, what specificities? Alcoholic disease in women has long been neglected. Taboo, culturally, it has also probably been so in the field of research and on clinical practice. But this has changed since the recent publication of some very relevant studies that attracted particular attention from a part of the public opinion who came in support of professionals alarmed by the inaction on this subject. Based on a specific clinical experience and from epidemiological studies, clinical data and the complications due to alcohol misuse by women, this article demonstrates the need to focus more on this pathology as it is serious for the patients as well as for their entourage. Indeed, complications seem to be able to develop from the first drink: they are somatic, psychiatric, but also social. There are specificities of this disease in women both through the factors of vulnerability but also by the clinical presentation or by its consequences. Women are more vulnerable than men to alcohol. The lack of knowledge from which this disease suffers leads to longer delays before consultation of patients and insidiously installs complications that are heavier than those of men. In fact, care requires a specific approach in relation to a request and a still particular status attributed to women. It is important to increase the information work in order to encourage patients to consult but also to better legislate on the promotion that mainly targets women and young people, and this in the framework of a more rigorous and efficient prevention.
Competing Interests: Les auteurs déclarent n’avoir aucun lien d’intérêts.