It comes down to physiology: Women metabolize alcohol differently than men. That’s because they usually have a lower percentage of water in the body and more fat tissue than men, which results in less fluid to dilute the alcohol—causing a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Additionally, the primary enzyme involved in the metabolism of alcohol can be as much as 40% less active in women, Yale reports.
That means that if a woman and a man of the same age and weight drink the same amount at the same rate, the woman will still have a greater BAC.
“Not even two drinks a day is putting a woman at significantly increased risk,” McKee said.
Women are also less likely to get help than men for alcohol use disorder, according to Yale, for multiple reasons. While social stigma does keep women from seeking treatment, Yale researchers emphasize that the sex-related differences in alcohol use are not often considered in research, diagnosis, and treatment.
Through the Yale program, researchers are hoping to create alcohol treatments that are better catered to women and their unique responses to drinking.
“We’re just at the beginning of really understanding what it is about the brain and body that differs between men and women who drink,” said Picciotto.
“We really need to be focused on a personalized medicine perspective—particularly in regard to addiction and alcohol,” McKee added.
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