How Drug Abuse Affects Women in the Society

By Favour Odanye

The perception of drug abuse as a male-dominated issue has changed in recent years, and it is now increasingly viewed as a social disaster that also impacts women.

Reports indicate that more women across Nigeria, are turning to substances such as tramadol, codeine, cannabis, and even hard drugs like cocaine and heroin.

Health professionals and security agencies warn that this practice is not only destroying the lives of the women involved but also leaving deep scars on families and the wider society.

Unlike men, the effects of substance abuse on women are often more catastrophic. As mothers, caregivers, and breadwinners, their addiction extends beyond the individual, disrupting children’s lives, destabilizing households, and straining communities.

The growing prevalence of drug abuse among women calls for urgent attention. Experts warn that ignoring the problem could worsen social problems such as broken families, school dropouts, prostitution, and rising crime, with long-term consequences for society at large.

Just like in the case of men, one of the most common reasons women fall into drug abuse is peer pressure. Many young women, particularly students and apprentices seeking a sense of belonging often mix with the wrong crowd, where taking substances is seen as fashionable or even a sign of boldness.

Emotional stress is another major factor that drives drug abuse among women. For years, drugs have been considered a form of escape for people battling depression, anxiety, or trauma.

Women, in particular, are more vulnerable due to hormonal changes that sometimes affect mood and behaviour. Without proper counseling or support systems, substances like codeine syrup or tramadol easily become a way to numb pain or forget life’s struggles.

While emotional struggles push some women toward drug abuse, poverty remains another powerful driver. For instance, single mothers facing economic hardship often struggle to provide for themselves and their children. Some, in desperation, turn to selling drugs as a means of survival, only to end up becoming consumers themselves.

The burden of unemployment and low-paying jobs also plays a role. Many women, frustrated by the lack of opportunities, seek temporary relief in substances such as cannabis or tramadol. Unfortunately, the comfort these drugs seem to provide is short-lived, leaving behind even greater damage to health, finances, and overall wellbeing.

Some women suffering from domestic violence and abusive relationships also turn to drug abuse. In many cases, abusive partners deliberately introduce them to substances as a means of control, making the women more dependent and less able to resist the toxic relationship. For such victims, drugs become both a coping mechanism and a trap.

Similarly, a weak family foundation or lack of parental guidance can set the stage for drug abuse. Young women who grow up in unstable homes where parents are absent, negligent, or even addicted themselves often lack the support system to resist negative influences. Without strong family values or supervision, they become more vulnerable to peer pressure, exploitation, and eventual drug use.

Although the reasons behind drug abuse in women vary, the results are frequently the same, lives destroyed. There are a number of consequences that go beyond the individual when casual use turns into reliance. The real effects of drug abuse are most seen in the years that follow, from deteriorating health to strained families and a sense of insecurity in the community.

Studies have shown that women are more sensitive to the consumption and long-term effects of drugs than men. From absorption to metabolic processes, women often struggle more in physically managing the consequences of drug use. Because drugs remain in their systems longer, women face higher risks of organ damage and drug-related diseases.

Medical experts note that while both men and women share some health consequences of drug abuse such as the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis from injection drug use, or memory loss associated with marijuana, women’s responses are distinct. They are more vulnerable to reproductive complications and other health issues linked to gynecology.

For instance, drug abuse has been found to interfere with women’s menstrual cycles, causing irregular periods, heavier or lighter flows, and painful cramps. Some women even resort to using illicit substances as self-medication for body aches or menstrual discomfort, unknowingly worsening their health in the process.

Women who use hard substances like heroin or methadone sometimes experience amenorrhea, the complete absence of menstrual periods. This can mislead them into believing they cannot conceive, while also causing them to misinterpret early pregnancy symptoms as withdrawal signs.

Such confusion places both mother and child at risk, as women may continue substance use without realizing they are pregnant. Drug abuse in nursing mothers further endangers infants through contaminated breast milk, compounding the dangers across generations.

Beyond physical health, drug abuse also leaves deep scars on women’s mental wellbeing. Substances that are often taken to escape stress or trauma end up worsening psychological conditions.

Depression is one of the most common outcomes. Women who rely on drugs like codeine or cannabis for relief often sink deeper into sadness and hopelessness, especially when the temporary “high” wears off. This cycle fuels dependency and leaves them feeling trapped.

Anxiety and paranoia are also frequent consequences. Continuous drug use alters brain chemistry, making women overly fearful, suspicious, or restless. In extreme cases, this develops into full-blown psychosis, where they lose touch with reality.

Experts also warn of the high risk of suicidal thoughts among women struggling with addiction. The combination of stigma, social isolation, and altered brain function leaves many feeling cornered, with tragic consequences for themselves and their families.

Drug abuse among women does not only affect the individual but also destabilizes families. As mothers and caregivers, addicted women often neglect their responsibilities at home, leaving children vulnerable to hunger, poor schooling, and emotional trauma.

Many marriages and relationships collapse under the weight of drug addiction. Spouses and extended family members frequently complain of mistrust, constant quarrels, and financial strain, which eventually lead to separation or divorce.

Children, in particular, bear the heaviest burden. Growing up in an environment where the mother is dependent on drugs can expose them to neglect, abuse, or early entry into street life. In many cases, such children drop out of school or repeat the same cycle of substance abuse.

Communities are not spared either. As more women fall into addiction, cases of prostitution, theft, and petty crime increase, creating insecurity in neighborhoods. What begins as a personal struggle soon becomes a social problem that affects everyone.

In a world where women are striving to take up more active roles in providing for their families rather than being confined to homemaking, drug dependence undermines their productivity. Women battling addiction often struggle to perform effectively at home and in workplaces, leading to serious financial losses.

This inability to contribute meaningfully to businesses, farms, or offices reduces household income and weakens community development. In some cases, the financial strain caused by addiction pushes women into prostitution or transactional sex. This not only exposes them to sexually transmitted infections but also deepens the cycle of poverty and dependence.

The ripple effects extend to communities. Rising cases of petty crime, theft, and fraud are often linked to women trying to sustain their drug habits. Such activities undermine peace and security, leaving neighborhoods vulnerable.

Public safety becomes an even bigger concern as drug abuse spreads among women. From disorderly conduct to direct involvement in drug peddling, communities are beginning to feel the social tension caused by women struggling with addiction.

However, the government has stepped up campaigns to curb drug abuse, particularly by introducing sensitization programmes in schools and communities. Security agencies also continue to arrest traffickers and users, yet rehabilitation remains a greater challenge.

In addition to government efforts, some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also actively involved in tackling the problem. They organize awareness workshops targeted at women, teaching them the dangers of drug abuse while at the same time offering counseling services for those already affected.

Similarly, religious and community groups have joined the fight by preaching against drug use and setting up support programmes for families in distress. Their influence is significant because it helps to break the silence around the issue, especially in rural communities where stigma is often stronger.

Nevertheless, despite these combined efforts, the fight against drug abuse among women still faces major obstacles. There are very few rehabilitation centres, and those that exist are often underfunded. Moreover, stigma prevents many women from seeking help openly, leaving them trapped in cycles of addiction and silence.

To effectively tackle the problem, experts suggest that stronger laws should be enforced against the sale and distribution of illicit drugs. By disrupting supply chains, fewer women would have easy access to harmful substances.

There is also a pressing need for more rehabilitation centres in the society. Women battling addiction require safe spaces where they can receive medical care, counseling, and long-term reintegration support.

Furthermore, sensitization campaigns should specifically target women in marketplaces, schools, religious gatherings, and women’s associations. Through these platforms, women can be educated on the dangers of drug abuse and shown pathways to recovery.

In addition, empowerment programmes can help reduce vulnerability. When women are given access to vocational training, small business grants, or stable employment, they are less likely to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism for poverty and hardship.

Breaking this cycle requires more than arrests and awareness campaigns; it demands compassion, investment, and collective responsibility. When women are protected, empowered, and supported, the entire society benefits but when they are left to battle addiction alone, the cost is paid by everyone.