Cited by 1,076Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesSex and Gender in HealthcareGambling Behavior and Treatments

Sex and gender differences in substance use disorders

Open access
McHugh, R. Kathryn, Votaw, Victoria R., Sugarman, Dawn E., Greenfield, Shelly F.·2018·Clinical Psychology Review

Abstract

The gender gap in substance use disorders (SUDs), characterized by greater prevalence in men, is narrowing, highlighting the importance of understanding sex and gender differences in SUD etiology and maintenance. In this critical review, we provide an overview of sex/gender differences in the biology, epidemiology and treatment of SUDs. Biological sex differences are evident across an array of systems, including brain structure and function, endocrine function, and metabolic function. Gender (i.e., environmentally and socioculturally defined roles for men and women) also contributes to the initiation and course of substance use and SUDs. Adverse medical, psychiatric, and functional consequences associated with SUDs are often more severe in women. However, men and women do not substantively differ with respect to SUD treatment outcomes. Although several trends are beginning to emerge in the literature, findings on sex and gender differences in SUDs are complicated by the interacting contributions of biological and environmental factors. Future research is needed to further elucidate sex and gender differences, especially focusing on hormonal factors in SUD course and treatment outcomes; research translating findings between animal and human models; and gender differences in understudied populations, such as those with co-occurring psychiatric disorders and gender-specific populations, such as pregnant women.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.10.012

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  • Women have lower concentrations of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase and lower total body water, leading to higher blood alcohol levels and greater intoxication after consuming equivalent amounts of alcohol as men.

    “For example, women have lower concentrations of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase, the primary en zyme for alcohol metabolism, and a lower total percentage of body water, leading to higher blood alcohol levels and greater levels of in toxication after consuming equivalent amounts of alcohol as men 334 .”

    From Substance use disorders: a comprehensive update of classification, epidemiology, neurobiology, clinical aspects, treatment and prevention (2023) · cites this paper as [334]

    The Biological Sex Differences in Substance Use section (page unavailable) says women have lower gastric alcohol dehydrogenase activity and lower total body water, resulting in higher blood alcohol concentrations and greater intoxication after equivalent alcohol consumption. It does not establish a lower concentration of the enzyme itself or call it the primary enzyme for alcohol metabolism. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Research suggests sex and gender differences in SUD are narrowing.

    “research suggests sex and gender differences in SUD are narrowing and should continue to be monitored among the college student population (McHugh et al., 2018).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Hien DA Wells EA Jiang H Suarez-Morales L Campbell ANC Cohen LR Nunes EV 2009b Multisite randomized trial of behavioral interventions for women with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 77 4 607 619 10.1037/a0016227 19634955 PMC2795638 · DOI
  2. Najavits LM Weiss RD Shaw SR Muenz LR 1998 “Seeking safety”: outcome of a new cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for women with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance dependence Journal of Traumatic Stress 11 3 437 456 10.1023/a:1024496427434 9690186 · DOI · Paper page
  3. Seedat S Scott KM Angermeyer MC Berglund P Bromet EJ Brugha TS Kessler RC 2009b Cross-national associations between gender and mental disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys Archives of General Psychiatry 66 7 785 795 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.36 19581570 PMC2810067 · DOI · Paper page
  4. Smith K Lipari R 2013 Women of Childbearing Age and Opioids The CBHSQ Report Rockville MD 28252898

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Authors
McHugh, R. K., Votaw, V. R., Sugarman, D. E., & Greenfield, S. F.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • McLean Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
McHugh, R. Kathryn
Venue
Clinical Psychology Review
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-12
Volume
66
Pages
12-23
ISSN
0272-7358 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2767393753
Cited by
1,076
References
211
Citations by year
2026: 118 · 2025: 174 · 2024: 170 · 2023: 184 · 2022: 132 · 2021: 122 · 2020: 127 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 9
FWCI
6.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Clinical Psychology Review (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
NIDA (UG1 DA015831, K23 DA035297)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Sex and Gender in Healthcare
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
Keywords
sex differences, gender differences, substance use disorders, women, men, brain structure and function, endocrine function, metabolic function, hormonal factors, gender roles, psychiatric comorbidity, pregnancy, animal-to-human translation
MeSH terms
Female, Humans, Male, Sex Characteristics, Sex Factors, Substance-Related Disorders

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