There is still a widespread belief among those who work with alcoholics that the women are sicker than the men. Many factors are quoted to substantiate this view. Dependency on drugs: Alcoholic women have sought medical help for their emotional problems more often than alcoholic men, and women have consumed far more prescription drugs. This may result in additional medical complications and a more difficult detoxification process. Women may also have developed some dependence on drugs as a means of coping with everyday problems and anxieties. It has been estimated that about 70% of psychotropic drugs are prescribed for women, mainly for anxiety and depression. Controlling our emotions is the critical factor in recovery after treatment for alcoholism. In the same way that alcohol prevents us from thinking clearly and rationally, so do intense emotional states. A third potential source of interference with rational, clear thinking is the use of the drugs commonly prescribed for the management of anxiety and depression. I find that the brain chemistry needs to be balanced in order to continue educating and unraveling complicated emotions of an alcohol dependent person.  Most doctors prescribe antidepressants before counseling alcoholics when, in fact, alcohol is the main cause of the depression. Stop using alcohol and the depression may lift sufficiently to work with an alcoholic using amino acid supplements instead of drugs. This factor may indeed weigh against recovery in females unless the treatment procedures take this into account. Every effort should be made to ensure that, as far as possible, women alcoholics are alerted so the dangers of cross addiction, and are weaned off prescribed drugs during the early recovery process. Relatives and friends should be advised not to encourage the use of mind and mood altering drugs, especially early in the recovery period, unless they are prescribed by a doctor familiar with the problems of alcoholism. High levels of negative emotional states: Every time groups of men and women are measured on anxiety, depression and neuroticism, the women get higher scores than men. This applies to all groups, regardless of whether they drink or not, whether they work or not, whether they are alcoholic or not, or whether they are high school or university students. This applies to questionnaires in which questions such as, “Do you feel nervous, anxious, concerned?” are asked. Women respond by indicating that yes, they are more nervous, anxious and concerned than men. Whether or not they actually are, or whether the higher scores merely reflect social conditioning, in that it is regarded as “normal” for a woman to be that way so she is prepared to admit it, is debatable. On the other hand, men are expected to be strong and dependable, so admission of anxiety states is in one sense, an admission of failure. This difference in social expectations may be sufficient to account for the findings. Counselors in my field of work, find females suffer more than males from debilitating neurotic illnesses. This again is possibly traced to the same social source. Women are encouraged more than males to seek help for their emotional illnesses. This does not prove in any way that the men are any less anxious or depressed, but merely that it is more psychologically difficult for males to seek help for emotional conditions. Drinking history: The telescoped drinking history of female alcoholics has been seen by some as an indication of a greater degree of illness. The argument is that if women present for treatment after a shorter period of alcoholic drinking than men, then they “must be sicker.” It would seem that there are other possible explanations of this phenomenon. One might center on the high level of susceptibility to liver damage found in women. Marital Instability:  The high incidence of divorce and separation in women alcoholics is seen as evidence of this instability.  Most women I’ve spoken to over the years, stayed in an alcohol saturated relationship for the sake of the children.  Men are exactly the same and stay in an emotionally abusive relation with an alcoholic wife, to try and protect their children from verbal and physical abuse. I recommend amino acids to help balance brain chemistry and a good liver tonic to help repair liver damage. Specific amino acids are essential for the liver to breakdown toxins and drugs and also for efficient metabolism in the liver. Glutamine – This amino acid is required for phase two detoxification in the liver and is required in increased amounts by those who consume excessive alcohol. It is able to reduce the craving for alcohol. Glutamine supplementation is helpful for intestinal disorders such as peptic ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut is the term used to describe an inflamed condition of the lining of the bowel, which makes the bowel too permeable, so that toxins and incompletely digested food particles can be absorbed from the bowels directly into the liver. This increases the workload of the liver and may cause many health problems. Glutamine is essential for the white cells to fight viruses such as hepatitis B and C. Glutamine is converted in the body into glutamic acid, which, along with the amino acids cysteine and glycine, is converted into the powerful liver protector glutathione. Glutathione is essential for liver phase two conjugation reactions used during detoxification of drugs and toxic chemicals. Glutamine can be found in our Ultimate Gut Health Powder. Livatone is a natural liver tonic containing the liver herbs St Mary’s Thistle, Globe Artichoke and Dandelion, combined with the amino acid Taurine, and Lecithin. It also contains natural sources of Chlorophyll, Carotenoids and fiber. It is available in both capsule and powder form. The liver is the main fat burning organ in the body and regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism. A healthy liver will take fat in the form of cholesterol and pump it via the bile into the intestines where it will be carried away in the bowel actions provided the diet is high in fiber. Tyrosine Mood Food – Tyrosine is a natural amino acid – one of the building blocks of protein.  It is required for the manufacture of the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) dopamine and noradrenaline.  These neurotransmitters are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood. Magnesium – the great relaxer. Magnesium plays an essential role in maintaining and promoting efficient muscle function and nerve transmission. Magnesium is a vital mineral for hundreds of cellular enzymes involved in the body’s energy production and metabolism. It is required by the nervous system to regulate the function of nerves and muscles. Magnesium may also assist in the reduction of stress, nervous tension, anxiety and sleeplessness.   The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.