Everyone has different needs in addiction treatment. A quality addiction treatment program will help you create an individualized program that takes into account your specific background and issues. Different groups of people tend to share certain needs and risks. Here are some of the problems men are more likely to face in addiction and treatment.
Men are more likely to use illicit substances.
Men are about three times more likely than women to use illicit drugs, including marijuana, opioids, and stimulants. There are many reasons for this. One is that men tend to see less danger in drugs. One study found that 27 percent of men thought marijuana was safe, compared to only 15 percent of women. And while about five percent of men thought cocaine and ecstasy are safe, only one percent of women thought so. Women may also be less likely to take drugs because of social expectations. There is still a bit of a stigma against women using drugs and alcohol, which makes many women less likely partake. Even if they do, trying to hide it from friends limits their access and makes it less likely they’ll be offered drugs. The effect is more pronounced in more conservative cultures. There is also some evidence that men are just more hedonistic, meaning men are more likely to drink or use drugs to feel good, whereas women are more likely to drink or use drugs to feel less bad. Despite these differences, men and women about equally likely to develop addictions.
Men are more likely to self-medicate.
Depression and addiction frequently go together for both men and women. The relationship between depression and addiction is complicated. For a variety of reasons, women are about twice as likely as men to suffer from depression. However, women are far more likely to seek treatment for depression than men are. This may inflate the differences in depression between men and women. Men also typically display different symptoms of depression. They are more likely to appear irritable, angry, or aggressive. They may may engage in reckless behavior, especially younger men. Men are also more likely to self-medicate. Instead of seeking help for depression, men may may use drugs or alcohol to cope with the symptoms. This can lead to addiction, which in turn makes the depression worse.
Men are more likely to die from overdose.
About twice as many men as women die from overdose. This is partly because of the trends mentioned above, including more frequent illicit drug use, hedonistic use, and greater risk taking. If more men take drugs such as opioids and cocaine that can cause fatal overdose, more men are likely to die from overdose. However, there may be other factors at work too. A major one is that men are more likely to use drugs alone, whereas women are more likely to use drugs with others. If a man overdoses, there is less likely to be someone nearby to call an ambulance. Also, men are far more likely to commit suicide, which may account for a portion of overdose deaths.
Social expectations of men can slow recovery.
Just as social expectations of women can reduce their use of illicit drugs, social expectations of men can make it harder to seek help, engage in treatment, and succeed in recovery. Stereotypical masculinity entails being strong and self-sufficient. Men are far more likely to believe they have their substance use under control, when they clearly don’t. When they do come to believe they have a substance use problem, men are less likely to admit it and seek help, often feeling like they should be able to take care of their own problems, or they don’t want to appear weak. This is also a factor in mental health issues that often lead to addiction, such as depression. As noted above men are less likely to seek help, and more likely to self-medicate. If more men sought help for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, they would have less risk of developing substance use issues. Once men do enter treatment, they often have more difficulty engaging with therapy, especially in group therapy. Therapy often requires vulnerability, talking about pain, fear, and trauma. Men are less used to talking about their emotions in general and it’s even harder to discuss their most painful emotions with people they hardly know. Good therapists can work with this resistance and help patients open up at a pace they’re comfortable with. Group too, can be a positive experience, as men can learn to open up and communicate in a supportive way.
Men tend to be less social.
Men on average have fewer close friends with whom they can discuss their feelings. This is a liability at several stages of addiction and recovery. As noted, it likely contributes to the higher overdose rate among men. It also makes men less willing to open up during treatment. And men’s lower sociability makes them more likely to relapse. One of the most important ways to prevent relapse is to have a strong sober network. These are people you feel comfortable talking about your personal challenges with, who will help you out in an emergency, and help keep you accountable. Unfortunately, many people, especially men, have a hard time making new friends. After treatment, they want to avoid the possibly triggering influence of their old friends, but they don’t yet have anyone else to rely on. As a result, many feel lonely, which may contribute to boredom or depression and lead to relapse. Studies show that people who are able to engage more with other sober people have a much better chance at staying sober, even if they don’t particularly like those people. Joining a mutual aid group such as SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, or a 12-step program can help you build your sober network. And the more you connect with other people in the group, the better your chances of recovery.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental illness, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848
