Men’s Addiction
Men’s Addiction Treatment
Drug abuse is more likely in men than women. According to the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) and the NCDAS (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics), this is true for nearly all sorts of illicit drugs.
More men than women use/abuse alcohol, marijuana, prescription painkillers, heroin, opioids, and cocaine. The same goes for methamphetamines, prescription stimulants, prescription sedatives, and prescription tranquilizers.
Although developing a substance use disorder is as likely in women as in men upon drug abuse, addiction is more prevalent in men than women. Men and women differ in more ways than one, and this includes how they are affected by drug and alcohol dependency.
Addiction in men has severe adverse effects on the individual, their social circle, and their community. Besides health issues and fatal doses, men’s addiction can ruin families, relationships, and societies with the providing and productive roles of males ceasing to occur.
Gender-specific addiction treatment in a men’s rehab program plan encourages openness as individuals have a more comfortable space to share and discuss gender-specific challenges. This promotes therapy acceptance.
Men’s addiction treatment options typically fall under 5 categories: inpatient, outpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs.
Understanding the Unique Challenges of Men’s Addiction
Some biological factors can contribute to addiction development in men. These include:
- Genetics such as a history of substance abuse disorders in the family.
- Exposure to drugs at birth (prenatal).
- The impact of neurochemicals on the brain.
- Brain damage that leads to structural changes.
Societal expectations and pressures placed upon men can also play a key role in the occurrence of addiction in men.
For example, gender-biased perceptions of what masculine behavior looks like and what it means to be a man can negatively affect a man’s willingness to abuse drugs.
Such toxic socially constructed concepts make men more prone to peer pressure, so they’re more likely to consume illicit drugs. Over time, this can lead to drug addiction.
The chances of men developing an addiction are also higher in the presence of co-occurring mental health disorders. Schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression are among the mental illnesses that are commonly associated with substance misuse.
Lack of employment is another factor that can promote substance use/abuse in men.
Individuals who are traditionally expected to be breadwinners often experience anxiety, low self-esteem, and hopelessness when they lose or can’t find a job.
To deal with these emotions, men are likely to apply negative coping mechanisms such as drug abuse.
The challenges of men’s addiction aren’t limited to the various causes and many contributing factors. Some barriers usually prevent men from seeking help early on, which worsens their substance misuse problems and leads to developing an addiction.
For one, men are conditioned to desire to appear tough and independent. This causes them to stay in denial for longer and/or attempt to resolve their substance use disorders alone.
Men can also demonstrate an unwillingness to accept help because they view it as a failure or weakness. Not only does this hinder starting treatment, but it also slows progress and leads to relapse.
Types of Men’s Addiction Treatment Programs
Treatment options for addiction recovery in men can come about in different settings depending on the details of the patient’s case, such as:
- The type of drug
- The intensity of abuse
- Physical and/or psychological conditions
- Emotional and social issues
Generally, there are 5 types of men’s addiction treatment programs:
Inpatient treatment
In this program, patients are admitted to specialty units in hospitals or a separate medical facility to receive treatment (medical detox and behavioral) in a controlled environment.
Medical care and emotional support are available 24 hours a day during the duration of treatment.
This treatment option is best suited for the most severe men’s addiction cases such as ones involving serious mental disorders.
Outpatient treatment
In this program, patients commit to a part-time plan where they enjoy more flexibility to keep up with work, school, and social obligations without missing treatment sessions.
As such, recovering men who take part in outpatient treatment live at home. They attend treatment (no more than 9 hours) at a specialized facility, but they leave once the day’s agenda is over.
Patients can start their treatment at this level if deemed appropriate by a health professional, or after completing a certain time in inpatient or residential treatment.
This treatment option is best suited for men’s addiction cases of low to medium severity.
Residential treatment
In this program, patients are admitted to residential treatment centers of varying levels, ranging from hospital-like facilities to hotel-like establishments.
Like inpatient treatment, the core concept of residential treatment programs is the 24/7 availability of medical care and emotional support in a controlled environment throughout the treatment period. Providing supervised medical detox followed by dual diagnosis treatment, men have the best chance at recovery.
These programs can be as short as 1 month or as long as 1 year. They’re made up of multiple stages that the patient passes as they progress through.
This treatment option is best suited for men’s addiction cases of medium to high severity.
Partial hospitalization programs
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a step-down treatment strategy that typically follows inpatient or residential treatment. It aims to prepare the recovering patient for the less intense supervision of outpatient treatment.
In other words, PHP is a middle ground between inpatient and outpatient treatment.
In PHP, patients receive a minimum of 20 hours of treatment per week, spread over 5 to 7 days. The daily contact and required reporting make for a structured and comprehensive treatment.
PHP doesn’t offer 24-hour care. The patient has more flexibility; they show up for a few hours and can go back home once the daily agenda is covered.
Still, PHP can provide medical services and management where the patient may be given medication each session they attend and/or may be given doses to take outside until the next session.
This treatment option is best suited for men’s addiction cases of medium to high severity.
Intensive outpatient programs
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is also a step-down treatment approach that usually follows inpatient or residential treatment. Like PHP, its purpose is to prepare the recovering patient for the less intense care level provided in outpatient treatment.
IOP is considered a middle ground between PHP and outpatient treatment.
In IOP, patients receive between 10 to 20 hours of treatment per week, spread over 4 to 6 days. They attend sessions at a specialized facility but they live and sleep at home for more freedom.
Similar to PHP, IOP doesn’t offer 24-hour care. However, the biggest difference between these two types of addiction treatment programs is that IOP doesn’t provide medical services (detox).
This treatment option is best suited for men’s addiction cases of medium to high severity.
Men’s-only addiction treatment centers
This type of addiction treatment facility can offer any of the treatment options discussed above but with a focus on men. They only accept male patients and employ all-male staff (male healthcare providers, male janitors, etc).
Components of Effective Men’s Addiction Treatment Programs
Now that you have a better understanding of the options for men’s addiction treatment, here are a few of the common elements typically included in these programs:
Evidence-based therapies tailored to men’s needs
Also referred to as behavioral therapy, this aspect of care is crucial to maintaining abstinence and recovery utilizing substance abuse treatment.
When tailored to address the unique challenges faced by addicted men, these therapies are effective in resolving underlying behavioral health issues.
Men-focused behavioral treatment features various types of therapy, including
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): In these sessions, the therapist helps the male patient process their thoughts and emotions to understand the relationship between their addiction and problematic behaviors.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Based on CBT, DBT is a type of talking therapy that aims to help patients accept difficult feelings, understand them, and learn how to manage them to be able to regulate potentially destructive behaviors.
- Contingency management (CM): In these sessions, the patient works with the therapist to find motives for rectifying problematic behaviors.
- Motivational interviewing (MI): In these sessions, the therapist asks the male patient insightful questions to help boost their motivation for making a change.
Individual and group counseling with a focus on men’s issues
Effective addiction treatment for men must include both individual and group counseling.
Individual therapy involves a male licensed professional who’ll work with the patient on their mental health and offer a safe space to discuss gender-specific issues.
During these one-on-one sessions, the patient learns to open up about their problems and emotions.
The therapist helps them navigate psychological issues to better control triggers and regulate destructive behaviors that promote substance abuse.
Patients learn healthy coping mechanisms in individual therapy, an area that most men struggle with.
Group therapy, on the other hand, involves certified facilitators who hold/run men-only meetings with multiple attendees. All the participants are at some point of recovery so they went/ are going through the same hardships as you and your loved ones.
Each therapy session in group counseling focuses on a specific topic or skill. Examples include life skills, addiction education, stress management, creative expression, and coping techniques.
Group therapy offers men suffering from a substance abuse disorder a chance to share their stories and learn from the experience of others. They also get to bond and establish connections with fellow participants.
Family therapy and support
Addiction in men can ruin familial relationships, not just between the addict and their family members, but also among the members themselves.
This type of therapy is a staple in effective men’s addiction treatment programs. It offers patients and their family members proper guidance to improve communication and work through lingering issues.
Family therapy provides support for everyone involved in the recovery process. It teaches family members how to correctly give support to the patient while preventing codependency and enabling behaviors.
Relapse prevention and aftercare planning
Last but not least, men’s addiction treatment programs offer aftercare planning, also referred to as relapse prevention. This part deals with patients beyond the direct recovery process.
Typically, the treatment team develops this plan to be implemented in outpatient care systems. It can include strategies such as support groups, drug treatment and testing, and 12-step programs.
How to Choose the Right Men’s Addiction Treatment Program
To select the most effective men’s addiction treatment program, a few steps should take place.
First of all, a professional health provider will evaluate the patient’s case. This usually happens through a question-based interview with the male patient and a review of their individual needs, health state, and preferences.
Once the assessment is done, it provides an outline of the kind/level of care and treatment plan required to commence recovery.
From there, you can start researching recovery centers and compare the specifics of the programs they offer. The cost of a program depends on its length, the included features, the location of the facility, and the extent of insurance coverage.
Overcoming Barriers to Accessing Men’s Addiction Treatment
As we explained earlier, men’s addiction treatment is subject to a range of challenges that prevent patients from accessing the support they need.
Several approaches can be useful in overcoming such barriers, but one of the most important is normalizing seeking help for men.
A huge contributing factor to delayed intervention in addicted men is the social stigma surrounding men’s addiction and treatment.
Men are conditioned to “tough out” problems, which only worsens the severity of substance abuse disorders and makes recovery more complicated.
Another issue is the cost of treatment programs. By improving their affordability and expanding insurance coverage, more men will be able to get the required help, especially in cases where employment is a problem.
Final Thoughts
Effective addiction treatment for men increases the chances of achieving and maintaining long-term recovery.
Specialized treatment programs that address psychological, social, and biological issues faced by addicted men allow for more in-depth resolution.
If you or anyone you know requires gender-specific help in their journey to recover from addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Recovery from addiction is a multi-layered, life-long process. Not only does it demands persistence and patience, but also a solid support system of professionals and loved ones to prevent relapse.
