GenBetween

Alcohol abuse and the Sandwich Generation

by Elizabeth on February 2nd, 2007

This is an interesting story about some Australian research that suggests female members of the Sandwich Generation may be more at risk of alcoholism or alcohol abuse:

“Women progress from alcohol use to alcoholism more rapidly than men in a process of acceleration known as ‘telescoping.’ Research has shown that alcoholism is becoming the third leading cause of death in women aged 35 to 55,” Ms Withnall says.”There is little research internationally that specifically looks at midlife women and their experiences with alcohol, the negative impact it can have on their lives, families and communities. Likewise, little is understood of midlife women in sober recovery in Australia.”

While we don’t know all the reasons why these women appear to be more at risk compared to other age groups, there are some clues, according to Ms Withnall.

“This group of women is what we call the ’sandwich generation’ - they face different pressures from different directions. These are women who may have childcare responsibilities, or look after elderly parents, on top of also experiencing their own relationship and career pressures,” she says.

I’m not sure what I think about that premise. On one hand, the pressures experienced by the Sandwich Generation can be tremendous, and, some people who are under pressure do cope by using excess alcohol.

But, I think the propensity to abuse alcohol or drugs is dependent on that person’s (male or female) personality, and, possibly genetic make-up, rather than the fact that they are of a certain demographic.

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POSTED IN: Research