Does liquor harm women more, or is it gender bias?

Women are drinking more than ever with some even developing dependency and addiction. Here’s how they are at an increased risk for damage to both physical and mental health—often more than in men

- SHUBHANGI SHAH

RECENT REPORTS HAVE shown that women are drinking more than ever, be that as it may, due to stress, at social events, or just to have a good time. In the United States, a study released in July found that an increasing number of women are drinking themselves to death. While alcohol-related deaths remain higher among men, "the gender gap is narrowing", as per the report.

India, too, is witnessing a rise in drinking among women. "Alcohol use has definitely increased across the population with women and younger people using it more than ever," says Dr Jyoti Kapoor, founder-director and senior psychiatrist at Manasthali. A similar trend was seen in last year's study by The Lancet. In another survey, 37% of women in Delhi said they felt their alcohol consumption has increased since the Covid pandemic. Over 45% of women in the national capital attributed their increased drinking to stress.

Drinking has remained a taboo in several quarters of India. However, with gender bias at play, the taboo is more pronounced when it comes to women consuming liquor. While more women are venturing out for education and jobs, a rise in disposable income and more advertising, among other factors, have contributed to the rise. Women are recommended to drink significantly less than men. Two or less drinks a day for men and one or less for women is the generally accepted norm.

Fair play