Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Leisure activities may help women avoid alcohol problems
By Staff Writer
New research on the daily drinking habits of women may shed some light on what causes this gender to seek substance abuse help for a dependence on alcoholism. Based on data, women who engage in leisure activities may be less likely to develop problems related to alcohol.
These are the findings of a recent thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. The occupational therapist behind the study analyzed data from the ongoing Women and Alcohol in Gothenburg population study. This research, which began in the mid-1980s, focuses on the effects of everyday life on alcohol consumption.
In one set of data, a population of 851 women between the ages of 20 and 55 were asked to answer questions about their daily routines, including leisure activities and how satisfied they were with them.
It was found that women who were involved in less leisure activities were more likely to consume high amounts of alcohol. For individuals who were satisfied with the various aspects of their daily life, such as their job or housework, there was less of a link to developing drinking problems.
These findings can help in identifying women who are at a higher risk of developing an addiction to alcohol. In addition, this research may lead to new ideas for the design of preventive measures.
