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Mental and Physical Health Consequences of Alcohol Use in Women

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Recent Developments in Alcoholism

Part of the book series: Recent Developments in Alcoholism ((RDIA,volume 12))

Abstract

Chronic consumption of alcohol in levels typically consumed by alcoholic women clearly produces adverse health consequences, including a shorter life expectancy. The health consequences of alcohol use appear to depend on the characteristics of the person consuming the alcohol (genetic vulnerability to particular diseases, the particular point in the life span when the majority of the alcohol is consumed, and the pattern of consumption typical for that individual). For adolescence and young adulthood, emphasis is placed on increased rates of accidental and suicidal mortality. For middle age, breast cancer risk and risk for developing osteoporosis is discussed. Finally, use of alcohol alone and in combination with psychoactive drugs presents special problems for older women. Other specific adverse effects of alcohol are reviewed with respect to gender differences in cardiovascular, hepatological, and neuropathological outcome, as well as with respect to HIV/AIDS. Psychiatric comorbidity and domestic violence are also discussed with respect to gender differences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alcoholism and Genetics Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213

    Shirley Y. Hill

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  1. Shirley Y. Hill
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York

    Marc Galanter (Associate Editor) (Associate Editor)

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© 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Hill, S.Y. (2002). Mental and Physical Health Consequences of Alcohol Use in Women. In: Galanter, M., et al. Recent Developments in Alcoholism. Recent Developments in Alcoholism, vol 12. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-47138-8_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-47138-8_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-44921-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-306-47138-4

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