Although this difference is great, there are factors that modify the findings. For example, more males than females have the opportunity to use marijuana, but more females than males have the opportunity to use cocaine, heroine and hallucinogens. Also, according to Hsu & Du Guerny, Goode, and Bjorling, only women with the most serious abuse problems are visible, because of the fact that they become ill more rapidly. Other women hide their abuse or deny that they have a problem because of social attitudes, and women do not usually abuse drugs in the same open way that men do (as cited in Byqvist, 1999). .
Pregnancy is a condition women face that brings a considerable amount of discomfort and anxiety. Some women turn to drugs to help them through the period, but this has been known to harm the unborn fetus. For example, according to recent findings by Wakschlag, Lahey, Loeber, Green, Gordon, & Leventhal, it is suggested that prenatal tobacco use is an independent risk factor for conduct disorder among male offspring (as cited in Finfgeld, 2001).
According to research by Bolla, reasons women use for not getting help include fear of getting involved with the criminal justice system, losing child custody, being stigmatized, and having to participate in punitive treatment that does not address the needs of women, especially those who are pregnant (as cited in Finfgeld, 2001). Many of these feelings also carry over into after the child is born. In a study by Boyd & Holmes (2000), a sample of 208 participants, all women who were admitted drug users, was obtained. At the time of the interview, 152 women lived in drug treatment facilities. Fifty-six were still using crack and not being treated. Nearly all of these women (92.5%) had children. Research shows that those women who continue using drugs with children are more prone to crime, physical and/or emotional abuse, neglect and/or domestic violence.
