In what ways does addiction affect men and women differently?

Socially: The physiological effects of addiction on men and women are largely the same - however, what drugs each gender is more likely to be addicted to and how that plays out with in interpersonal relationships tends to be largely socially driven. Women tend to be introduced to drugs by men and often become addicted in the context of romantic relationships. Men are more likely to be introduced by peers.

Various ways: Sophisticated imaging studies of addicts in recovery showed gender differences in cues which may lead to relapse. For alcohol, women are more sensitive to harmful physical effects. They experience health complications at a younger age than men. Some addiction professionals describe a telescoping course of complications in female alcoholics.