Shedding the stigma of female addiction
Many women who have alcohol or substance problems also face a lack of social support, but academics and addicts agree that these moral judgments have no place in a modern, progressive society: instead, there should be a greater focus on building up women’s ‘recovery capital’
Jennifer McKernan ignored the signs of addiction for a long time. The Dubliner was a heavy drinker for the best part of two decades before finally entering a treatment programme. She had become used to pretending everything was fine, even as those around her expressed growing concern.
“My parents knew I had a problem, and my mom had tried to get me into AA years before,” she says. “I’d be like: ‘I’m grand. I’ve got ...
