Navigating pain and pleasure: trauma and alcohol use among urban women in India

Alcohol use among women has been on the rise globally, with data showing a narrowing of the consumption gap between men and women. This has been notable in the urban settings of India as well. The current study explored the interplay of trauma and alcohol consumption amongst a cohort of urban Indian women. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 urban Indian heterosexual women, aged 18–55, diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The interviews, guided by the frameworks of ‘why’ and ‘when’ of alcohol use, adopted the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) lens to understand each participant’s unique experiences in the context of culture and personal circumstances towards alcohol consumption. The findings revealed that participants primarily consumed alcohol to cope with trauma and stress. Obstacles in seeking help and lack of social support significantly sustained their alcohol use. Factors like financial stress, loss of loved ones, marital issues, social settings, and peer pressure were key contributors to their alcohol consumption. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), these findings underscore the importance of addressing mental health and substance use disorders through comprehensive, trauma-informed care models. The study highlights the significant role of trauma in alcohol use among an understudied population of urban Indian women, linking it with experiences of abuse and co-dependency. It advocates for gender-specific, trauma-informed interventions to address the root causes of alcohol use. A holistic, trauma-informed approach to addiction treatment can better equip women—particularly in urban South Asian contexts—with the support and resources necessary for healing and long-term recovery.