Stress in women, especially in the age group of 31 to 40 years, is the biggest contributing factor directing them to addiction to alcohol, anti–depressants, sleeping pills and substance abuse, says a survey conducted by Baya Karve Women’s Study Centre in four de–addiction centres across the city.

The study, conducted over the last two years, pertains to 371 women, between 18 and 60 years of age, having undergone de–addiction between 2005 and 2011 at four different de–addiction centres in the city. These include the Krupa Foundation, Muktangan De–Addiction Centre, Manasvardhan De–Addiction Centre and Anandvan De–Addiction Centre.

“Women in the age group of 31 to 40 years comprised almost 28.57% of the cases, the highest in the study. Around 23.45% women were addicted to alcohol and substance abuse for a period between one and five years on an average. Those with academic degrees were the highest – 28.8%. Out of the 371 case files, 173 women, or 48.63% were homemakers, while nine were retired. A total of 54.98% were married. Unmarried or single women comprised 19.6%, where as 11.59% were divorced and 9% were widows. Moreover, 23.18% of these women earned less than Rs 1,000 per month,” said Mrunalini Chitale, chairperson of the Baya Karve Women’s Study Centre.

“The objective of the study is to spread awareness on de–addiction and creating empathy for women who were or are into addictions,” said Chitale. Stress, peer pressure, marital discord, stigma of a divorce and the abuse suffered from relatives, are some of the factors leading to addiction among women. Starvation, physical abuse and witchcraft were some of the tricks used by family members of some women to steer them off from these addictions, Chitale added.

“We also consulted de–addiction experts for the study, and found that generally those afflicted by addiction, be it man or woman, have the tendency to hide their addiction from the rest of the family instead of seeking immediate help. Those addicted have a tough time accepting the fact that they need help,” she said.

However, the study could not reveal the data for certain parameters. “We got no details on reasons behind stress that eventually led them to addiction, the exact number of women who got back to their addictions post–rehab stint, and those who were re–admitted, the income earned by working women and their collective family income. Also, we could not have direct interaction with women undergoing de–addiction at three of these centres,” Chitale said.

This is an ongoing study, she said, adding, “We hope to publish the findings in our centre’s in–house journal, ‘Vedh,’ in the near future.”