Becoming addicted, like poverty, is one of the serious problems and bitter and undeniable realities. The policies of different countries around the world to combat the growing trend of addiction are very diverse, but addiction in women – which is on the rise in Iran and the world – has not been seriously addressed by researchers and is still seen as a male issue in today’s world. Therefore, solutions and policies to combat this social harm and preventive management and strategies at the macro-social level are more dependent on male characteristics. This is while addiction in women has more complex layers socially and culturally and its consequences are more dangerous.

Sociology of Drugs.

Sociology of drugs examines the social aspects of drug use, including cultural norms, social attitudes, gender and the impact of drug policies. It also explores the social structures and power dynamics of gender, patterns of drug use, gender roles in addiction, and the role of institutions – such as the legal system and treatment facilities – in shaping and responding to issues related to drugs.

The reflection of the trend of growth in the number of addicts, especially female addicts, can be clearly seen in the 2022 Global Report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which describes the unprecedented increase in cocaine production, the spread of synthetic drugs to new markets, and the deepening gap in access to treatment and recovery for women.

According to this report, in 2020, approximately 284 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 worldwide have used drugs, which is a 26% increase compared to the previous decade. More young people are using drugs and in many countries, the rate of drug use among youth is higher than previous generations. In Africa and Latin America, individuals under 35 make up the majority of those receiving treatment for drug use disorders. Globally, this report estimates that 11.2 million people worldwide use injectable drugs.

The 2022 Global Report highlights that women continue to be a minority of drug users at the global level, but the rate of drug use among women is increasing at a faster pace compared to men in terms of consumption disorders. Women currently make up about 45 to 49 percent of amphetamine users, prescription drug and stimulant users, and tranquilizer users. The treatment gap for women remains significant worldwide. Although women make up almost half of amphetamine users, only one in five seek treatment for amphetamine use disorders. This report also refers to a wide range of roles women play in the global cocaine economy, including coca cultivation, small-scale drug trafficking, retail sales to consumers, and smuggling.

But the reasons for the growth trend.‌

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What is the number of addicts, especially female addicts?

The main reasons for drug use are multifaceted and can vary from person to person. Some facilitating factors are environmental and cultural, such as:

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Biological factors.

Genetic background and neurobiological factors can influence an individual’s susceptibility to drug use and addiction.

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Psychological factors:

Issues related to mental health, emotional trauma, stress, and low self-esteem can be influential in drug use, as in many cases drug use can be a coping mechanism.

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Social conditions.

Social and economic factors, peer pressure, family challenges, and cultural influences can play a significant role in shaping individuals’ tendency towards drug use.

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Availability

Availability and low cost of obtaining drugs can affect consumption patterns in a society.

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Socio-cultural and educational poverty.

Limited cultural and educational poverty regarding the dangers of drug use and lack of awareness about healthier mechanisms for dealing with biological, psychological, and social factors can contribute to drug use.

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Social inequalities.

Economic inequalities, discrimination, and lack of social support can lead some individuals to turn to drugs as a means of escape or coping with difficult circumstances.

Effective management and strategies for managing the growing trend of drug consumption require consideration of these factors at the societal level, including prevention, education, treatment, and support.

Gender segregation in drug use can vary in different areas, including the type of drug and geographical location. However, there are some general patterns present.

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From a historical perspective:

Men have reported a higher rate of drug use compared to women. This is true for substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs in many countries around the world.

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Recent trends:

In recent years, some studies have shown that the gender gap in drug use is decreasing in Egypt and women are becoming equal to men in certain groups of drugs, or even getting closer to them.

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Types of materials:

Gender gap can vary for different substances. For example, men may still increase their alcohol and marijuana consumption, while women may be more likely to abuse prescription drugs.

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Reasons for consumption:

Motivations for drug use can also vary based on gender. Women may have a greater tendency to use substances as a way to cope with stress or emotional issues, while men may use them more in social or recreational settings.

Understanding these specific gender patterns is crucial for developing prevention and intervention strategies to address the unique needs and challenges of men and women in relation to substance use.

Gender gaps surrounding drugs.

There are major gender gaps at a global level in terms of access to drugs, economic and social inequalities, and cultural barriers in using medical facilities and support services. The key points of which can be listed as follows:

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Availability of medical facilities.

There is a huge gap in the availability of treatment programs. Women, in particular, may face major challenges in accessing rehabilitation services that meet their unique needs and experiences.

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Oppression and discrimination.

Criticizing women who use drugs can discourage them from seeking help. Social norms and discrimination undoubtedly create additional barriers for women in need of medical services.

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Inequalities and health care.

In some areas, gender-based inequalities in healthcare can affect access to quality and effective services. Economic, cultural, or geographical factors may limit women’s ability to receive proper treatment.

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Taking care to avoid injuries and damages from falling.

Women suffering from disorders caused by drug use are at risk for trauma and other social harms while in vulnerable situations. Therefore, they require more care and support to prevent further experiences of social harm.

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Support policies.

Laws, programs, and government policies that address sexual and gender sensitivities – alongside supportive efforts to bridge these gaps – are very important. Ensuring that improvement programs at the societal level consider the different needs of men and women is essential for effective and comprehensive rehabilitation of addicts.

Feminist literature emphasizes the understanding of drug use in broader sexual relations and social structures. There are several key points:

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Intersectionality.

Feminist researchers often approach drug use through an intersectional lens, considering how factors such as race, class, and gender intersect to shape individuals’ experiences with drug consumption.

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Field/area.‌

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Social.

Feminist analysis focuses on how social norms and expectations influence patterns of drug use among women and men. This includes examining the roles of gender and power dynamics in vulnerability or adaptability.

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Trauma and dealing with it.

Some feminists highlight the impact of psychological and emotional trauma – including experiences such as gender-based violence – on women’s substance use. Substance use may be seen as a coping mechanism in response to social pressures or personal injuries.

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Hitting.

Feminists criticize the targeting of women as drug consumers, which is much heavier compared to men, and highlight the burden and degrading nature of addiction and the provision of treatment and support services based on gender characteristics.

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Support for effective policies for women.

Feminist views often support policies that consider the unique needs of women; including access to healthcare, social services, and rehabilitation programs that address the root causes of substance abuse in women.

In essence, the feminist perspective on substance use seeks to uncover and address the gendered aspects of drug use and supports more comprehensive and compassionate approaches to prevention, treatment, and empowerment of women.

Addiction in Iran.

The challenges and tragedies resulting from gender inequality in Iranian society, especially for women who are marginalized economically, socially, and culturally, deprive them of their human rights. This is particularly true for women who are caught in the vicious cycle of addiction, from becoming addicted to being forced to leave their families, to being forced to publicly display their addiction in the streets of major cities – especially in Tehran province – and being denied access to rehabilitation and recovery, which is the most severe and inhumane form of punishment.

The cycle of addiction and “feminization of addiction” in societies with significant gender disparities is a symbol of organized sexual and gender-based violence by the government. The intertwining of addiction with poverty, prostitution, homelessness, and other social harms in societies where there is neither comprehensive investigation nor government support and cost-effective solutions to combat addiction, and where the focus is mainly on punishment rather than treatment, is evident. The narrative of the depth of this tragedy is also the “feminization of addiction”. In fact, the social harm of addiction for women is a gateway to other harms and violations of women’s human rights. In Iran, the number of people struggling with addiction is on a worrying and growing trend.

The fight against addiction is placed under the umbrella of public health, which reflects the failure of those in power in Iran to effectively combat the epidemic. Women caught in addiction in Iran – as global trends also show – are vulnerable to other social harms in the realm of public health, such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases resulting from prostitution, and in some cases, giving birth to addicted children, making the challenges of public health even more daunting.

In the Iranian media, there is mention of 25,000 female sex workers in Tehran province. It is unclear which field research this statistic is based on and what characteristics and criteria were used. However, female addicts who are often involved in addiction by their close relatives and men, are subjected to the most severe violence, insults, and humiliation and are expelled, leading them to seek refuge and spend the night on the streets, exposing them to physical, sexual, and psychological attacks and violence.

Lila Arshad, the CEO of Khaneh-ye Khorshid (Sun House), who has been working in the field of improving and rehabilitating women involved in addiction for over 30 years, accurately points out that “someone who is on this path is forced to do anything without having satisfaction or enjoyment from it.”

In Iran, like many other countries in the world, addiction is considered a “masculine” issue and the solutions for dealing with addicts and preventing and managing its dimensions are also formulated in a masculine way. In addition, for the past four decades, the issue of addiction among women in Iran has been systematically ignored and covered up by institutions and media outlets, causing serious social and public health problems. The solutions for dealing with the vast amount of cheap drugs that enter the country, with their cost doubling from the borders to major cities, have not been effective. “Addiction treatment camps” lack basic and human resources (as seen in the recent fire incident at a camp in Langroud city) and arrests, imprisonment, physical elimination, and execution not only fail to manage and limit the dimensions of this social problem, but also result in a faster growth of addiction compared to other countries in the region.

In such conditions, the fight against addiction and access to treatment and rehabilitation for women is very limited. It is estimated that 60% of incarcerated women are drug offenders. Samaneh Sadat Hosseini writes in her articles in the Jahan Sanat newspaper on December 3, 2022, “Out of the 7,377 incarcerated women in the country, 60% have ended up in prison for reasons related to drug addiction and substance abuse.” It should also be noted that 50% of divorces in the country are due to addiction, while 62% of addicts are married women. Limited institutions for the treatment and rehabilitation of addicted women can only provide care for these women for three months, and rehabilitation strategies do not align with the gender roles of female addicts. Often, women have to be taken care of outside of their roles as mothers and wives in order to recover.

The decrease in the age of addiction is also one of the alarming social damages. According to news published in the domestic media, the age of addiction has decreased to ten years, which is one of the most shocking social damages.

But what short and long term plans do those in power have for prevention and rehabilitation of this great suffering of women and children? What portion of the country’s total budget is allocated for addressing and preventing these harms? Can the cost of imposing mandatory hijab – which is at least 45-60 trillion tomans per year – not be allocated to support effective measures for women and children who are marginalized in society and are affected by such harms? Can this budget, which not only has not had a positive impact on the strategies of those in power, but has also caused widespread disobedience and resistance among women and girls who have been raised during the four decades of invasion in Iran, not be allocated to address horrific disasters and public health deficiencies, including combating the alarming trend of “feminization of addiction”?

The reality is that there is no political will to support social welfare and protect the lives and health of citizens. That’s all there is to it!