No, it's actually not vagina-related... One of the issues that we're not talking about enough in women's health circles is addiction.
I grew up in a rural New England area with a very high incidence of addiction and alcoholism. Alcoholism runs in my family, on both sides. I know I personally have an addictive personality.
However, growing up, I saw gambling, cigarette, drug and alcohol addiction, but it was virtually all in men. Men in my mother's generation. I didn't see it in my peers, until I got to college.
My father was an alcoholic, and because of that, I spent most of my teenage years scared to drink or do anything of the sort. I had my first real drink at 17, and didn't get 'drunk' until I was 18. I spent the subsequent morning throwing up and vowed I'd never do it again. But, naturally, I did. I was a college freshman who enjoyed the occasional Barefoot Pink Moscato or raspberry vodka with cranberry juice. (Yuck.)
Now, I like to consider myself sober-curious. I enjoy drinking, I do it socially, but I don't drink to get drunk or even to loosen up. I like the social aspect of it, and honestly I like the taste. I probably drink once or twice a week. But honestly, sometimes I feel like I'm in the minority.
When I left for college is when I realized that alcoholism isn't just an older man's disease. It permeates into all kinds of spaces, and one of those spaces is college and graduate school. In fact, oftentimes, college is when alcoholism begins. Frat boys who drink every day and play catch in the yard. 'Party girls' who drink every night and dance. 'Stoners' who get high before class, or even as soon as they wake up, and their grades tank. These subcultures can act as gateways into using alcohol as an unhealthy coping mechanism.
I have seen my female friends take a shot before going out because 'they want to feel more confident and less anxious' or because they want to 'be able to flirt.'
I have watched girlfriends have a 'pre-date drink' because otherwise they'd be too nervous.
I have seen my female friends drink a glass of wine after class, which then turns into two, then three, then the bottle is gone.
I have seen classmates lose all their money on alcohol.
I have seen peers take alcohol into class or other school events.
I have had girl friends tell me they had sex with someone and weren't sure if it was consensual because they were so wasted that they can barely remember it. That is not consent.
It's considered glamorous and impressive for a girl to have a strong drink, or to 'handle her liquor like the guys can.' In higher education, we glorify the use of stimulants to get through exams and abuse prescription medications as party drugs. All of this is a shining example of a toxic drug and alcohol culture.
But it's not just college and early twenties where this kind of behavior runs rampant. 'Wine mom' culture is also popular in our society, as is women having a glass (or three) of wine every single night after work.
Alcohol is fun, yes, but long-term heavy use of it can seriously damage your liver, affect your metabolism, the way your digestion works, your reproductive system, your kidneys and bladder, and of course your brain.
So if it's so common, and so toxic, why don't we talk about it? And why is it a women's health issue?
Addiction, like most mental health problems, is talked about less in women's health circles. AA is largely populated by male addicts, often because these resources are not 'marketed' to women as much. I have spent a lot of time in Planned Parenthoods and pediatric offices, and I have yet to see a single brochure for addiction supports. At my college, I have seen 2 (two) flyers for addiction support on a campus that houses 2,000.
We should be flyering with support hotlines and centers all over women's bathrooms, on billboards in lesbian (and gay) bars, all over women's health clinics. This needs to be talked about more.
I grew up in a rural New England area with a very high incidence of addiction and alcoholism. Alcoholism runs in my family, on both sides. I know I personally have an addictive personality.
However, growing up, I saw gambling, cigarette, drug and alcohol addiction, but it was virtually all in men. Men in my mother's generation. I didn't see it in my peers, until I got to college.
My father was an alcoholic, and because of that, I spent most of my teenage years scared to drink or do anything of the sort. I had my first real drink at 17, and didn't get 'drunk' until I was 18. I spent the subsequent morning throwing up and vowed I'd never do it again. But, naturally, I did. I was a college freshman who enjoyed the occasional Barefoot Pink Moscato or raspberry vodka with cranberry juice. (Yuck.)
Now, I like to consider myself sober-curious. I enjoy drinking, I do it socially, but I don't drink to get drunk or even to loosen up. I like the social aspect of it, and honestly I like the taste. I probably drink once or twice a week. But honestly, sometimes I feel like I'm in the minority.
I have seen my female friends take a shot before going out because 'they want to feel more confident and less anxious' or because they want to 'be able to flirt.'
I have watched girlfriends have a 'pre-date drink' because otherwise they'd be too nervous.
I have seen my female friends drink a glass of wine after class, which then turns into two, then three, then the bottle is gone.
I have seen classmates lose all their money on alcohol.
I have seen peers take alcohol into class or other school events.
I have had girl friends tell me they had sex with someone and weren't sure if it was consensual because they were so wasted that they can barely remember it. That is not consent.
It's considered glamorous and impressive for a girl to have a strong drink, or to 'handle her liquor like the guys can.' In higher education, we glorify the use of stimulants to get through exams and abuse prescription medications as party drugs. All of this is a shining example of a toxic drug and alcohol culture.
But it's not just college and early twenties where this kind of behavior runs rampant. 'Wine mom' culture is also popular in our society, as is women having a glass (or three) of wine every single night after work.
Alcohol is fun, yes, but long-term heavy use of it can seriously damage your liver, affect your metabolism, the way your digestion works, your reproductive system, your kidneys and bladder, and of course your brain.
So if it's so common, and so toxic, why don't we talk about it? And why is it a women's health issue?
Addiction, like most mental health problems, is talked about less in women's health circles. AA is largely populated by male addicts, often because these resources are not 'marketed' to women as much. I have spent a lot of time in Planned Parenthoods and pediatric offices, and I have yet to see a single brochure for addiction supports. At my college, I have seen 2 (two) flyers for addiction support on a campus that houses 2,000.
We should be flyering with support hotlines and centers all over women's bathrooms, on billboards in lesbian (and gay) bars, all over women's health clinics. This needs to be talked about more.
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