Final answer:
One difference between male and female alcohol abusers is that women more often cite a traumatic event as a reason for their drinking, while men may have affective problems related to their alcohol abuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the differences between male and female alcohol abusers is that women more often than men will cite a traumatic event that precipitated their drinking. This means that women may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism after experiencing a traumatic event in their lives. For example, a woman who has gone through a difficult divorce or the loss of a loved one may turn to alcohol to numb her pain. On the other hand, men may be more likely to have affective problems, such as depression or anxiety, which contribute to their alcohol abuse.