What are the Benefits of Men’s Alcohol Rehab?
Gender-specific issues surrounding substance abuse mean that gender-specific treatment programs are suitable for many people grappling with addiction.
Men and women abuse different drugs, and they also use substances for different reasons. Resultantly, the sexes often enter treatment programs at different stages of addiction.
In general, women are more prone to abusing prescription medications, including opioid painkillers, sleep aids, and benzodiazepines.
Men, by contrast, are more likely to develop alcohol addiction, cocaine, and marijuana. Hence, it’s important to look into gender-specific treatment such as a men’s rehab center. Addiction treatment is a sensitive topic and it’s important to walk through all the nuances of a gender-specific rehab program which is what we’ll be speaking about today.
Why is Gender-Specific Treatment Useful?
Men of all ages and demographics use alcohol and illegal drugs more often than women, and they also use these substances in larger quantities. If you or a loved one is abusing alcohol, drugs, and other substances it’s important to get help in an effective way. Gender-specific treatment is a useful way to implement this.
Most men start using narcotics or alcohol for different reasons than women. Normally, men use substances for perceived gains. Whether that’s using alcohol as a social lubricant, meth to cope with long hours at work, or marijuana to relax after a hard day at the office, it’s all about benefits when men use substances. Treatment plans for gender-specific treatment often include family therapy, individual therapy, and group therapy.
Women, on the other hand, more frequently turn to drugs as a means of self-medicating in response to stressors, trauma, or abuse. As mentioned, women tend to mainly abuse prescription medications.
Men will normally start using substances at higher doses than women. When it comes to seeking treatment, many men delay the inevitable, even when physically dependent on drugs or alcohol. Since men and women are often entering treatment at different stages of addiction, gender-specific programming takes this into account.
Overall, men are five times more likely to be diagnosed with substance use disorder than women.
Assuming males engage with treatment for addiction, they often find it tough to speak frankly and openly about emotional issues. Male-specific treatment can help in this area. When men are surrounded only by other males, they’ll usually feel more at ease, and more amenable to discussing raw emotions without the fear of being judged.
Benefits of Gender-Specific Treatment for Men
- Kickstart your recovery in a distraction-free environment
- Get specialized treatment tailored to male requirements
- Take advantage of powerful peer support
- You’ll face no expectations to be strong and tough
- Waste no time discussing issues relevant only to women
Kickstart your recovery in a distraction-free environment
When you’re going through the intense emotional upheaval involved with detoxing and withdrawing from drinks or drugs, you should be focusing purely on yourself.
Even if it’s subconscious, being surrounded by members of the opposite sex introduces tensions and complications that are not apparent in single-sex groups.
At mixed-sex residential rehab, you may find yourself become attracted to someone when you should be looking inward and working on yourself.
Get specialized treatment tailored to male requirements
With gender-specific treatment, you’re not getting a boilerplate program with irrelevant components. Instead, everything is personalized, both around your specific needs and around the needs of men in general.
With most men being admitted to treatment facilities for heavy binge drinking or marijuana use, you’ll be surrounded by others likely to be in a similar situation. As mentioned, women are more likely to abuse prescription medications.
Take advantage of powerful peer support
While individual counseling sessions give you one-to-one attention and the opportunity to dive deep into your addiction, group sessions are equally valuable.
Being part of a community of males all undergoing broadly similar challenges, and all looking to embrace sustained sobriety can be powerfully motivating.
As a man, you’ll face certain difficulties and challenges that only other men can relate to directly. The same holds true for women, and that’s one more good reason why gender-specific programming can be highly effective for treating addiction.
You’ll face no expectations to be strong and tough
Just as women face certain stigmas when abusing substances, so men face societal norms placing great pressure on them to be strong and tough in the face of turmoil.
When treatment is delivered in an all-male setting, there’s no expectation at all to put on any kind of act. Be yourself and start healing yourself.
Waste no time discussing issues relevant only to women
There are many gender-specific issues pertinent to both men and women surrounding addiction and recovery. An unfortunate by-product of mixed treatment programs is the time wasted for men or women discussing issues only really relevant to the opposite sex.
With gender-specific programs, there’s a ruthless focus on what works for the sex being treated rather than a need to accommodate everyone under one roof. That way lies compromise, whereas the more selfish approach of single-sex rehab saves time and minimizes hot button gender issues that can easily derail mixed group therapy sessions.
Is Gender-Specific Treatment Right for You?
If you are abusing alcohol or drugs, whether illicit drugs or prescription medication, you should seek treatment before the problem becomes worse.
Maybe you’ve never needed to engage with addiction services before and you’re confused about your treatment options. Only you can decide whether a gender-specific treatment program would provide you with the supportive, comfortable base you need from which to kickstart your recovery.
If the idea of getting back on a track surrounded by male peers sounds appealing, we can help you with that here at The District Recovery Community.
Men’s Alcohol Rehab at The District Recovery Community
In many ways, substance abuse and alcohol abuse impacts men and women differently. Here at The District Recovery Community, we recognize these differences and take them into account with our gender-specific programming.
Whatever the nature of your addiction, and however severe the symptoms, we can personalize an inpatient or outpatient program to suit. If your home environment is not conducive to your recovery, we can help arrange housing in a sober living home.
For any men with a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health condition, we have robust dual diagnosis programs enabling you to address both these issues simultaneously.
To leave drink and drugs behind while reclaiming the life stolen by addiction, call the friendly TDRC team at 844.287.8506.
