Study shows sharp increases in U.S. alcohol deaths, especially among women

I have an observation. I used to treat people for alcohol addiction (in the USA) and male patients outnumbered female by a wide margin. Why? Because men were the traditional breadwinners and needed help to remain employed and productive. Women found their way to treatment only after suffering a myriad of other problems such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, suicide attempts, eating disorders, workplace problems (if they were the breadwinners). In many cases they were single moms without financial support from deadbeat dads.

While state funds (and private insurance) are shrinking for alcohol abuse and addiction problems, and traditional inpatient treatment programs have been driven away by cheaper albeit less-effective outpatient programs, it comes as no surprise to me that women are dying due to alcohol (and other drugs) in increasing numbers.

Keep in mind that abstinence occurs in any person at a rate of merely 10 percent with the help of a 12-step program alone and marginally better with inpatient programs. Outpatient programs are about as effective as 12-step programs alone.