Substance abuse is an ugly adversary, and it is no respecter of genders. While more men than women have substance abuse disorders (SUDs), research1 shows the gender gap is narrowing. It also shows that women exhibit other patterns that elevate their vulnerability and risks:
- They tend to develop SUD faster than men because they increase the amount of their consumption at a faster rate
- They are less likely to enter treatment than men
- There is a stronger connection between mental illness and SUD in women than there is in men
- Women with SUD report a higher rate of exposure to intimate partner violence than men with SUD
But the good news is, there is hope! If women can take those critical steps toward getting treatment, they can put themselves on the path to sobriety. The examples of several inspiring women prove this point.
Jamie Lee Curtis
This celebrated actress has openly shared her arduous battle with painkillers. Her struggle began after a routine cosmetic surgery that ended in Curtis becoming dependent on opioids prescribed for pain management.
Before opioid addiction was making big headlines, Curtis was in its clutches. Curtis candidly shared her experiences, stating, “I was ahead of the curve of the opiate epidemic. I had a 10-year run, stealing, conniving. No one knew. No one.”
While Curtis’ addiction once thrived in secrecy, she is now committed to being open and frank about her struggles. She is relentless in encouraging women in her shoes to get themselves into a recovery program.
Elizabeth Vargas
We know her as the lead investigative reporter and documentary anchor for A&E networks and the former host of Fox News’ revival of “America’s Most Wanted.” In her memoir “Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction,” Vargas recounted her long struggle with anxiety and shared how alcohol became a dangerous coping mechanism. She also described her tipping point: “I realized that something was really wrong with me, that I needed help. And that was the beginning of my road to recovery.”
Vargas’ journey to sobriety highlights the importance of reaching out for support and shattering the silence that too often shrouds substance abuse.
Demi Lovato
If you grew up watching Disney Channel, Demi Lovato was probably a part of your life. She debuted in the Disney series “As the Bell Rings” (2007) and starred in Disney movies like “Camp Rock” (2008) and “Princess Protection Program” (2009).
Lovato’s battle with addiction began in her teenage years. She has been open about her experiences with cocaine, alcohol, and opioids as well as her eating disorder. In her YouTube documentary series, “Dancing with the Devil,” Lovato provides a raw account of her near-fatal overdose in 2018 and her ongoing journey toward sobriety and self-discovery.
In interviews, Lovato has emphasized the importance of seeking professional help, practicing self-care, and building a strong support system.
Kristen Johnston
Kristen Johnston, an American actress best known for her role in the TV show “3rd Rock from the Sun,” has been very open about her struggles with alcohol addiction. She was quoted as saying she “married” drugs after her run on 3rd Rock, but the marriage played out like an “abusive relationship.”
Kristen battled alcoholism for many years, reaching a point where her addiction nearly took her life. She entered rehab and took those all-important first steps toward recovery. She later wrote a memoir titled “Guts: The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster.” Her book details her battles with substance abuse, the toll it took on her life, and her eventual path to sobriety.
Kristen has been an advocate for addiction recovery and mental health, sharing her story in the hopes of helping others who are going through similar struggles.
Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta)
You know her for her hit songs: “Poker Face,” “Bad Romance,” and “Just Dance.” You may also have loved her for her acting roles in “A Star is Born” or “House of Gucci.” But this famous singer, songwriter, and actress has dealt with struggles many of her fans knew nothing about.
Gaga was sexually assaulted at a young age, which led to self-destructive behaviors, including substance abuse. In her 2017 documentary, “Gaga: Five Foot Two,” she shared her struggles with mental health, including depression and anxiety. She also shared how she turned to substances to cope with those mental health challenges, as well as with difficulties in her personal life and the heavy pressures of fame.
In recent years, Lady Gaga has publicly discussed her decision to get professional help to overcome her addictions. That decision allowed her to prioritize her health, well-being, and emotional healing. She has become an advocate for mental health awareness, particularly through her Born This Way Foundation, and has encouraged her fans to seek help if they are struggling with addiction or mental health issues.
As any of these women would tell you, it is possible to move beyond drug and alcohol addiction, and life is a whole lot better on the other side. Every woman has her own path to recovery, but it most often starts with medically-supervised detox at a women’s drug and alcohol rehab center. Caring and compassionate staff members, many of whom have been in your shoes, can guide you along the way with therapies to address the issues underlying your addiction.
You can be that success story! You may be worried about losing face, losing your job, or losing custody of your kids, but delaying recovery is the biggest “lose” of all. Contact our women’s rehabilitation center in Idaho to make a lasting change starting today.
1https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40429-021-00357-9