There are no gender boundaries between those who suffer from tobacco, alcohol, and prescription or illicit drug addiction. This issue affects both sexes. However, effective treatment requires customized programs. For male patients, the success rate is increased in a treatment facility that’s designed for men only.
In the field of gender-specific rehab and recovery treatment, recovery for men has appeared relatively recently. But this new trend in addiction treatment will only grow as there’s already scientific evidence that proves the efficacy of the gender-based approach.
Male-Specific Rehab as the Best Option
Society expects men to be strong. That’s why some male addicts delay with getting professional help at a rehab for men https://addictionresource.com/drug-rehab/men-only/. They believe that the inability to cope with a problem on their own is a sign of weakness.
But you won’t treat a serious health problem on your own, won’t you? Substance use disorder is a disease. It requires medical intervention. And entering a treatment facility is one of the bravest decisions a man can make.
A stay in rehab allows an individual to understand that there are other men who are in the same position as he is. He engages in conversations with those who have already broken free from the vicious cycle. It boosts his motivation.
A man feels a less judgmental attitude in a men-only setting than in a mixed-gender environment. This helps him to lower his guard and allow healing to occur.
Gender Differences in Substance Use Patterns
While both genders are prone to alcohol and drug addiction, there are several differences in the use, treatment, and relapse rates.
- Substance use is more prevalent among men.
According to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), men have higher rates of alcohol consumption. They also use marijuana more often than the opposite sex. And those with marijuana use disorders are more likely than women to try other illicit drugs or demonstrate antisocial behavior. Also, men use greater amounts of heroin than women.
- The root causes of addiction are different.
Women use substances to cope with emotional or relational pain, while men are pushed by financial, legal or behavioral problems.
- Men seek treatment more often.
A recent study revealed that men face fewer barriers to accessing substance abuse treatment and are more likely to seek treatment than women. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that most clients in addiction treatment rehabs are male.
- Men have higher relapse rates.
A study conducted by Dr. James McKay and fellow researchers from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia showed that men relapse for different reasons and they are more likely to relapse than women during treatment.
The Benefits of Male-Specific Rehabs
Enrolling in men-only rehabs can be advantageous for males looking to recover from substance addiction. Whether you go for rehabilitation for the first time or you want to regain sobriety after a relapse, a gender-specific program will offer you several benefits. They include:
- a distraction-free environment that helps clients to focus on recovery;
- therapies that address male-related issues in recovery, including masculinity and sexuality;
- the opportunity to form lasting friendships with other men in recovery;
- a high level of comfort due to the absence of potential barriers that may arise from being around members of the opposite sex.
The biggest plus out of the above-mentioned benefits is the level of comfort that allows men to get involved in the treatment process. It’s especially important when they need to discuss some sensitive issues. For example, men who have been molested as a child or raped may experience extreme shame or guilt that can be better addressed in a men-only treatment environment.
The Types of Treatment in Men’s Addiction Treatment Centers
Men-only rehab programs can consist of different types of treatment:
- Medically-assisted detox
Detoxification is the process of cleaning the body from harmful toxins that accumulate as a result of prolonged alcohol or drug abuse.
- Counseling
The aim of specialized counseling is to cope with the unique issues men face. It focuses on domestic violence prevention, anger management, and fixing unhealthy relationships.
- Behavioral therapy
It helps to examine unhealthy behaviors that have led to substance abuse and teach to recognize potential triggers and use healthy coping mechanisms.
- Holistic therapy
Some of the forms are yoga, acupuncture, music therapy, art therapy, animal therapy.
- Family therapy
This type of therapy is recommended for those men whose families have been damaged during the abuse period.
- Life skills
The programs teach men to develop healthy life skills like proper diet and exercise. It can contribute to sobriety. Some offer job skills classes and parenting classes.
Choosing a Men’s Rehab
Given the special needs of men in recovery, a gender-specific center is often the perfect choice. But not all men-only rehabs are the same. How to find the right one?
At first, determine your goals of going into rehab for men. Of course, the major goal is to quit alcohol or drugs. But there may be additional issues that need to be addressed.
Often, male addicts suffer from co-occurring mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and ADHD. If you have this problem, find a center that can address both aspects of recovery.
The price also plays its role. Make inquiries on whether your insurance can cover some part of the cost. Consider a facility close to your home. If you can afford maximum comfort and want to stay anonymous, luxury rehab may meet your needs.
If you want to deal with some psychological trauma, make sure the center’s staff has competent counselors who can address the root causes that led to addiction.
Depending on your individual case, you’ll need one of the two rehab programs. Inpatient rehab for men will be beneficial for someone who has a severe and long-term addiction, needs detox, lacks strong support at home, and faces many triggers in their daily life.
Outpatient rehab will fit someone who has a support network at home, isn’t surrounded by triggers, and doesn’t have a history of relapses. It’s also referred to as a “day hospital”. The patient visits the rehabilitation center throughout the day but lives at home.
Unfortunately, neither gender is predisposed to seek treatment at high levels. More than 90 percent of those who need treatment fail to get it. Don’t wait! The earlier you start recovery, the easier it will be.
