7 Ways Men Respond to Drug Addiction Differently

Men and women have very different ways of dealing with drug addiction, the stigma associated with drug addiction and the treatments that are available will vary. Since there are key differences of drug and alcohol addiction treatment for men and women apart in a drug addiction and alcohol treatment program, it is important to recognize the ways that treatment may impact men.

Group Treatment Counseling and Camaraderie

According to Addiction Treatment Magazine, men benefit significantly from the feeling of camaraderie in a group therapy session. Group programs, like 12 step programs or long-term group therapy, provide a social element that is essential for the well-being and ability of men to sustain long-term recovery goals. Addiction Treatment Magazine reports that men use group treatment programs and sober support groups to build up friendships with individuals who do not abuse a substance. It helps the individual avoid the substance, even when it is readily available.

Long-Term Drug and Alcohol Treatment

The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network, or ATTC, states that men are more likely to enter a long-term treatment program when they are older or are pressured by an employer. The National Institutes of Health suggests that health-care settings will often identify a drug addiction and encourage drug and alcohol treatment and that men are more likely to seek long-term treatment options when they want to stop drug abuse. ATTC points out those men will often have a goal to abstain, which can be a key part of maintaining personal recovery goals.

Learning Coping Strategies

Alcohol Treatment Magazine says that men are more likely to abstain from drug and alcohol abuse when they learn better coping strategies for social situations. It is particularly important in the case of alcohol treatment, but it can apply to many addictions. Men can benefit from learning new coping strategies and ways to avoid the substance in a variety of different situations.

Cognitive Drug Addiction Treatments

According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug and alcohol abuse can have a major impact on the brain. The National Institutes of Health has found men tend to develop an addiction at a much slower rate when compared to women, but they also tend to seek drug rehab and alcohol treatment at a slower rate. Cognitive treatments can assist with recovery by changing the way that men view their drug addiction and ability to handle cravings for the drugs and alcohol. It can be an essential tool to help men understand the science and facts behind a drug addiction and alcohol abuse.

Eliminating the Stigma against Addiction

The stigma associated with a drug addiction, particularly the idea that it is a failing or a weakness, can be a problem for many men. When men feel that a drug addiction or alcoholism is a personal failing or moral weakness, they may avoid drug and alcohol treatment and attempt to recover without any assistance. Effective drug rehab programs will help men recognize that an addiction occurs when the brain is changed by a substance.

Mental Health Complications

Complications that may contribute to an addiction can be significantly different for men. The National Institute on Health explains that women are more likely to have complications like depressive disorders or anxiety. Although men may have mental health disorders, the nature and type of disorder can be significantly different. For example, men who are returning from a war-zone may have post-traumatic stress disorder, which can contributes to drug and alcohol addiction. A gender-responsive program will recognize that men may need a treatment program that addresses specific mental health conditions that are more common among men.

Physical Aspects of Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Physical fitness and activities that encourage physical fitness may be a useful way to assist men with recovery. Drug Treatment options for men will often include a variety of sports or fitness activities. During the activities, men can improve their physical health and gain a similar sense of camaraderie that occurs during a group therapy. Gender-responsive treatment can be an important part of recovering from drug addiction and alcohol abuse. The National Institutes of Health explain that men who go through a drug and alcohol treatment program are three times more likely to avoid substance abuse in the future, but the rates can be improved with a program that recognizes the possible challenges that men face.

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