Research and Resources

Data on alcohol and other drug use among those aged 12 and older can be found in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Additionally, youth use of alcohol or other drugs by gender can be found in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and the University of Michigan/National Institute on Drug Abuse's Monitoring the Future study.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's annual Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS)] report provides data on admissions to treatment facilities throughout the United States. During 2007, there were nearly 590,000 female admissions to drug/alcohol treatment in the United States, representing 32.3% of the total admissions to treatment during the year.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has created a Prenatal Effects page to focus on the impact that a mother's drug use can have on the developing fetus.

Additional Resources

This section provides information about and links to international resources, articles and publications, and related web sites that focus on women, girls and substance abuse issues.

International Efforts

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
The ASEAN Committee on Women has convened different regional workshops, seminars, training sessions and consultative meetings that provided platforms for government officials, civil society organizations, professionals and other stakeholders to exchange views, share experiences and build commitments to a common understanding on various gender issues.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
UNODC is mandated to assist Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism. In pursuing its objectives, UNODC makes every effort to integrate and mainstream the gender perspective, particularly in its projects for the provision of alternative livelihoods, as well as those against human trafficking.

United States Department of State
Within the U.S. Department of State are the following programs, which focus on efforts related to international drug control and prevention as well as issues specifically related to women:

Articles and Publications

A Collection of NIDA NOTES Articles That Address Women and Sex/Gender Differences Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse, July 2009
This resource contains a compilation of NIDA Notes articles that focus on substance abuse and treatment among women.

Girls and Drugs - A New Analysis: Recent Trends, Risk Factors and Consequences(PDF)
Office of National Drug Control Policy, February 2006
This report provides analyses of findings on alcohol and other drug use trends among girls.

Report to the White House Council on Women and Girls
Office of National Drug Control Policy, May 2010
Includes information on programs which address the unique risk and protective factors as well as challenges in preventing and treating substance abuse and addiction among women and girls.

Substance Abuse in Women: Does Gender Matter?
Psychiatric Times, January 2007
This article reviews medical treatment and research studies that detail the contrasts of gender in substance use disorders.

Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
This manual helps professionals provide effective, up-to-date treatment to women with substance use disorders by taking into account their unique treatment needs.

Director Kerlikowske and Attorney General Eric Holder Visit Women's Reentry Program
White House Blog, May 2011
Attorney General Eric Holder and Drug Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske attended the grand opening of the Release Center in Chattanooga, TN, a residential program for currently incarcerated women that offers services to assist in their transition from prison back to their communities.

Women and Substance Abuse
Association for Psychological Science, Observer, April 2006
This article summarizes a six-person panel, called "For Women Only: Gender Difference and Substance Abuse," which was part of a conference sponsored by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

Women in Substance Abuse Treatment: Results From the Alcohol and Drug Services Study (ADSS)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, September 2005
This resource presents an in-depth analysis of substance abuse treatment clients and facilities, with a special focus on women.