Young women’s opioid use remains hidden despite rising numbers, report finds

A new report from the Rockwool Foundation reveals that nearly as many young women as men in Denmark have used opioids, yet female opioid misuse remains more stigmatised and less visible, according to public broadcaster DR.

Kamilia, now 20, recognises the pattern. She began misusing prescription pills at 15 while living in a residential care facility. “Everything else was irrelevant,” she recalled of her addiction. She noted a clear disparity in how staff addressed substance abuse among girls compared to boys, with girls’ struggles often overlooked or downplayed.

The foundation’s data suggests that while opioid experimentation is nearly equal between genders, societal taboos and underreporting mean female misuse is frequently missed by support systems.