For instance, it has been noted that women have higher chances of developing liver disease, brain and heart damage than men even if their period of drinking is lesser than their male counterparts. A link between breast cancer and alcohol abuse was also found (National Women's Health Report Online, 2007). Treatment-wise, it was noted that women who struggle with substance-related problems do not have accessible services and resources. There is also a need to "develop training curriculum for workers on the issues of domestic violence..." (Institute for Women's Leadership, n.d., pp. 3-4) as domestic violence often leads to substance abuse as it is used by women as coping mechanism to such kind of marital difficulties (NCADV, 2009). The method of "intervention" or other forms of therapy which are confrontational in nature are also problematic for women because they tend to be overly concerned with what others will think of them, as well as their significant groups or circles (Estronaut, 1999).

Gender Specific: The Need to Study Women's Issues in Substance Abuse

At this point, we have already established the differences of substance abuse between males and females. Particularly we have pointed out some gender-specific reasons for developing substance addiction, certain gender-specific effects of this problem, and more importantly, the challenges when it comes to treatment as women's behavior are different from men.

There mere fact that gender differences occur upon the very period of socialization, is enough for us to extend our argumentation in so far as claiming that stark differences are involved in the many issues surrounding substance addiction. Hence, it is important for us to better understand these differences, through conducting more studies on this field, because a solid and grounded understanding of women issues can definitely lead to more practical and positive benefits, i.e. designing...

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