Gender differences in drug-addicted patients in a clinical treatment center of Spain

Abstract

Background and objectives: This study explored the characteristics of a representative sample of patients who were addicted to drugs and analyzed the differential profile of addicted women and men. Methods: A sample of 195 addicted patients (95 female and 100 male) who sought outpatient treatment in a Spanish clinical center was assessed. Information on sociodemographic, consumption and associated characteristics was collected using the European Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI). Results: The results showed statistically significant differences between groups. Demographically, the differences were centered on employment, with more labor problems in the female group. Regarding addiction severity, the EuropASI results showed statistically significant differences in both the Interviewer Severity Ratings (ISR) and Composite Scores (CS). Women experienced more severe impacts in the medical, family social and psychiatric areas. By contrast addicted men had more severe legal problems than addicted females did. Conclusions: According to these results, women who seek outpatient treatment in a clinical center presented with a more severe addiction problem than men did. Moreover, they reported more significant maladjustment in the various aspects of life explored.