Study: Women in Appalachian Ohio report higher rates of drinking

June 13 (UPI) -- Researchers at the University of Michigan found women in Appalachian Ohio report drinking alcohol at alarmingly high levels.

The study, published June 8 in the Journal of Rural Mental Health, focused on the level of alcohol use and abuse by women in poor, rural areas who face multiple health issues, including substance abuse problems.

"Alcohol continues to be the most prevalent and widely used and abused substance among Appalachian adults and is reported to be the primary reason for seeking substance use treatment in the region, surpassing drug abuse," Dr. Golfo K. Tzilos, assistant professor in the University of Michigan's Departments of Family Medicine and Psychiatry and the U-M Addiction Center, said in a press release.

Researchers analyzed information from 2,300 women in 14 counties in Appalachian Ohio, 95 percent of whom were non-Hispanic whites participating in the Community Awareness, Resources, and Education, or CARE, Project.

They found 19.9 percent of study participants reported recent heavy episodic drinking, also known as binge drinking, which is defined as drinking four or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting.

"One interpretation of the findings is that these women are a vulnerable population," Tzilos said. "Typically, these women face a number of disadvantages in their environment, including chronic stressors such as limited resources and living in poverty, as well as acute stressors such as exposure to violence and abuse, which can all play a role in the likelihood of higher rates of alcohol use."

Binge drinking is linked to hazardous behaviors including smoking, risky sexual behavior, increased risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases.

The study found women under the age of 26 were five times more likely to binge drink compared to women over 50.

"Clinicians have the opportunity to inquire about risky alcohol use among their patients," Tzilos said. "In rural settings, there are often barriers to health services that women face, including stigma, cultural concerns of confidentiality and trust, lack of anonymity, and lack of access and providers."