Table 4.

Gender Differences in Stigma, Shame, and Guilt Among Women and Men

WRG Female	GDC Female	GDC Male
“It is still something I struggle with, especially as a mother, to admit the things that I did. And just to think to myself, people are going to think I am the scum of the earth…I think that when you hear of a female alcohol or drug addict the immediate perception is…she must be like a total neurotic crazy lady. Whereas a man—it’s almost more acceptable for a man to be an alcoholic and get this idea of this sort of business man who drinks his lunch.”	“I think outside these walls—for me at least—every day I feel very ashamed and embarrassed that I have this problem.”	“Guilt and shame are my two top feelings. I wish I could believe it’s a disease”
“… Women who have no control over their urges are somehow less women, whereas men are just kind of, you know, boys…boys will be boys….my perception and I think it’s maybe a societal perception that women who drink are just…bad, sloppy people; and men who drink are…out to have a good time…”	“…the women all have common issues around…the shame and the guilt…”	“I try to close my eyes to [certain things] in recovery and…the shame I have towards my family is just terrible.”
	“I don’t always want to do the shame and guilt thing….I think men tend to release the shame and guilt a lot easier than women. We tend to kind of drag it along with us for a longer amount of time….”
	“it’s less acceptable for a woman to have a drinking problem”
	“I think it’s easier for women to get sucked down by their illness, because it’s more of a negative for women in society, the way we’re looked at.”
	“I notice I was clean for a long time and I have a really hard time with society today….”