Problems with prescription overdoses are a particular problem for women and usually involve painkillers and drugs for mental illness. Some explanations for this problem is that women tend to have more chronic pain and emotional disorders for which they receive prescription pain killers drugs as well as antidepressants and antianxiety medications. They also tend to develop dependence on these medications faster than men, resulting in escalating use and major withdrawal symptoms when trying to discontinue their drug abuse.
Given this information what environmental factors may relate to the drug abuse? What medication tend to more addictive than others among women with mental health disorders? What disorder do women tend to be diagnosis with in the African American community?