Conclusion

There are multiple gender-specific issues which should be considered when screening and managing people with AUD. For women, the key issues are diagnosis, contraception, domestic violence, parenting and child protection, and the possible need for gender-specific treatment. Key issues for men are centred around violence, both as perpetrators and victims of alcohol-related violence and as perpetrators of domestic violence. Whilst relevant for men, parenting is a particularly important issue for women as they are much more likely to be the sole or primary caregiver of young children, which may also serve as both a motivator and a barrier to accessing treatment.