Women and substance use disorders.

In the United States, 45% of all women use alcohol, and nearly 26% smoke cigarettes. Approximately 13% use illicit substances, prescribed medications, or both in recreational ways. Although women use these substances less often than men, the health consequences of their use for women, particularly the use of alcohol, are either equivalent or greater. Women's social relationships play key roles in the onset of substance use disorders, treatment, and continued recovery. Major psychoactive substances include nicotine, alcohol, illicit drugs, and recreational use of nonprescribed medications. Biopsychosocial aspects unique to women are reviewed, followed by treatment approaches, concluding with implications for primary care providers.