Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam Practice Questions

Women are generally more susceptible to alcohol-related organ damage due to several physiological and biological factors. One primary reason is that women typically have a higher body fat percentage and lower water content than men, which affects how alcohol is metabolized. Since alcohol is water-soluble but not fat-soluble, women tend to have a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) after consuming the same amount of alcohol as men. This higher BAC leads to greater exposure of organs to alcohol, resulting in increased damage risk.

Additionally, women metabolize alcohol differently. They have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down alcohol in the stomach. This means that a larger portion of the alcohol reaches the bloodstream, contributing to heightened risk for organ damage, especially to the liver, heart, and brain, compared to men.

Hormonal differences also play a role, and some studies suggest that hormonal fluctuations in women, such as those occurring with the menstrual cycle or menopause, can affect alcohol's impact on organ health. These factors combined lead to a heightened vulnerability for women when it comes to the adverse effects of alcohol on organ systems.