Woman of Substances: A Journey into Drugs, Alcohol and Treatment

Journalist Jenny Valentish takes a gendered look at drugs and alcohol, using her own story to light the way. Mining the expertise of 35 leading researchers, clinicians and psychiatrists, she explores the early predictors of addictive behavior, such as trauma, temperament, and impulsivity. Drawing on neuroscience, she explains why other self-destructive behaviors—such as eating disorders, compulsive buying, and high-risk sex—are interchangeable with problematic substance use. From her suburban childhood to her chaotic formative years in the London music scene, we follow her journey to Australia, where she experiences firsthand treatment facilities and AA groups, and reflects whether or not they are meeting the needs of women. Woman of Substances is an insightful, rigorous, and brutally honest read.