Each culture has defined roles for men and women. They are subconscious thoughts on how we view each other in the world. Men have always been seen as the hunters and gatherers, but roles have evolved throughout the years. Society is in a transition that causes deep mental shifts and anxiety. Those who are dominant find that they may be judged for having privilege and keeping the little man down, while those who are more submissive are judged because they are too insightful and not ambitious enough.
These variations of the roles in which men reside cause stress that is not always easy to handle. Sometimes they have a problem relating to the opposite sex, whether they have an absent mother or maybe a domineering wife. People just want to live a happy life in which they are accepted for the person that they are. When this discrepancy between what someone wants and what they have occurs, they may turn to drugs to alleviate the constant, all-consuming stress. Depending on the drug used, the level of stress, and even the genetics of the person, they may go from experimenting or casual use to dependency. When they feel like they cannot live without the drug and it starts to affect their income and relationships, it is time to ask for help. Drug rehab that was designed specifically for men can provide the help they need to take the reins back and create a fulfilling life.
How do men abuse drugs differently than women?
Men and women typically have different stressors that lead to the use of drugs. Their body functions lend to how likely they are to become addicted. We can see this difference in trends that show themselves over time, which include:
- Men waiting longer to seek treatment
- More men use marijuana than women
- Those men using marijuana are more likely to abuse other drugs
- Men are more likely to inject heroin and use more of it.
- More men have antisocial personality disorder, the majority of which have a substance use disorder (SUD).
- Men use more illicit drugs.
- Men are more likely to abuse prescription pain killers.
- Research has shown that men are two to three times more likely to have a drug abuse disorder.
- 67% of those seeking admittance to a drug rehab program are men
- More men are seen in emergency rooms because of drugs
- More men overdose on drugs than women
What are the fundamentals of a drug rehab for men only?
People typically either seek out treatment or are forced into it. This does not bode well for the fact that those who are motivated to take advantage of all that rehab has to offer have a better chance at accomplishing and maintaining sobriety. While there are also women only drug rehab centers, what are some benefits of a men’s only program?
- It addresses issues that only affect men
- Women are traditionally more open with their feelings so women’s issues can take over coed group therapy sessions. Drug rehab for men focuses on men’s issues.
- Less judgment than in coed programs
- If a man shares a story of a time when he was aggressive, a woman may not react well, he will be judged and close himself off. This reaction is prevented without women present.
- Removes expectation for men to fulfill strong, leadership roles
- Everyone is there because they need help. No one is better than their peer and they are open to receiving the help that they need
Are there differing formats for men’s drug rehabs?
Some men make it through adolescence and college, establish a great career, and marry the love of their life, reaching all the goals that they set for themselves when they were younger; however, they started taking benzos to cope with the stress. Other men started smoking marijuana in high school to alleviate social anxiety, snorted cocaine through college, and find that they need drug rehab that focuses on their issues alone.
- Young adults (under 30) face their own set of challenges and may have a hard time adapting to adulthood. They may need help with long-term goals to give them something positive to focus on, such as going to college for a job they always wanted. Therapies for younger men may focus on helping them to:
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- Ease anxiety
- Improve self-confidence
- Cope with grief and loss
- Effectively manage their time
- Control impulses
- Recognize unhealthy family relationships
- Face and resolve traumatic experiences
- Mature men (over 30) have usually established the life they wanted, whether it involves children and partnerships or long-term careers. The program’s goals are a little different, helping them:
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- Work around family and job responsibilities
- Eliminate guilt, shame, and negative emotions which may have led to the abuse in the first place
- Higher profile executive men have a great deal of pressure on them at home and in the workplace. They need the aforementioned benefits, as well as the time to attend to their responsibilities.
While each facility has its own regimen, there are basic steps and therapies that have been proven to be highly effective in helping someone fight their drug addiction. Many facilities have been established, from inpatient and outpatient drug rehab programs to luxury and holistic drug addiction treatment programs.
- Detox
- Creating a safe environment in which the body can eliminate the chemical substance is critical, because some substances, like alcohol and benzodiazepines, can cause heart attacks and seizures that can be fatal.
- Rehab
- Medical professionals know that not everyone learns or heals the same way. Using a combination of therapies has been proven as the most effective way to remain sober. They are offered in group and individual settings. Therapies include:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) helps patients recognize their inability to adapt to and cope with outside stimuli. Patients learn how to change unhealthy thoughts to handle future issues. These skills help them long after they leave rehab and are beneficial in dual diagnosis treatments.
- DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) teaches the patient to discover what their triggers are and how to avoid them, as well as the coping mechanisms to overcome them when they present themselves. They will also learn to alter their harmful behaviors into healthy ones.
- REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) helps people face common self-defeating emotions like guilt, anger, and anxiety, while helping them change how they react to issues.
- MM (Matrix Model) is especially useful in stimulant addicts with the therapist forming a positive, non-confrontational, and encouraging relationship with the patient. It helps to increase self-esteem and self-worth.
- MI (Motivational Interviewing) is best used on those who did not want to be admitted to rehab in the first place, which is about 60% of the facility’s population. This technique helps motivate them to embrace the treatment. Many of them end up forming their own goals of recovery.
- CM (Contingency Management) uses incentives to help patients maintain sobriety and remain in drug addiction rehab.
- MAT (medication-assisted treatment) involves drugs designed to reduce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings.
- Alternate therapies that are utilized in different programs also include equine, art, music, drama, pet-friendly, acupuncture, and others that help to heal the person as a whole and remind them of what they used to love before drugs took over their mind.
- Aftercare planning and recovery
- While every man reacts to drugs differently, they also have different responses to drug rehab. This is why each plan is customized specifically for that person. It must be flexible to be able to handle relapses and unexpected issues. It is not easy to reenter society, and some things to consider include:
- Relapse prevention techniques
- A list of the closest 12-step support groups
- Schedule of follow-up sessions
- Halfway house or sober living plans, if necessary
How can I pay for a drug rehab for men?
Paying for addiction treatment may seem like something that is not financially possible. First, it is an investment in your future. Second, think of the money that you will save on not buying drugs. Most treatment programs are covered by health insurance, but if that is not an option, there are other ways to find your way back to health and happiness.
- Health insurance
- Private
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Obamacare, or Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- Military Insurance
- Grants and scholarships from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Sliding scale fees that are set according to income level
- Monthly payment plans
- 401ks, IRAs, and home equity loans
- Crowdfunding, such as GoFundMe, or donations directly to the facility
The pressures that are put on men by society and by themselves can have damaging effects to their self-confidence and even their self-identification. Drugs do not discriminate who they affect and will ruin the lives of anyone who tempts fate and incorporates them into their life for too long. Some drugs are even addictive after only the first hit, like meth. A gender-specific drug rehab helps men recognize and resolve past traumas, as well as face the unique issues that they face on a daily basis in their culture and their own circle. It is never too late to regain the hope that you once had in attaining a wonderful future.
How Do I Find Drug Rehab For Men Near Me?
