Drug and Alcohol Rehab For Men

While substance abuse is a major concern among both men and women, men tend to abuse drugs and alcohol more often than women and use them differently. For example, men drink alcohol at a higher rate than women. They also tend to binge drink at a higher rate.

Here are some other ways in which men abuse substances differently and more frequently than women:

• Not only are men more likely to use heroin and in greater amounts, but they are also more likely to inject it.
• Men are more likely to abuse prescription pain medication than women.
• Men admit to using illegal drugs at a higher rate than women.
• They are two to three times more likely to develop a substance abuse disorder.

Not only are the ways that men use substances different than women, but they also have different reasons for turning to drugs and alcohol.

Men are driven to use substances for a range of reasons, including:

• Body image issues
• Dissatisfaction with work or school
• Family history of substance abuse
• History of trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or physical, sexual, and verbal abuse
• Mental health problems, including anxiety and depression

So, how do you know if rehab is right for you? You can start by asking yourself the following questions:

• Have you tried to stop using and failed?
• Have you been taking a larger dose of drugs than you are prescribed on a regular basis?
• Do you find yourself turning to drugs and alcohol more and more every day?
• Do you spend too much time and money trying to obtain drugs and alcohol?
• Do you find yourself taking a long time to recover from the effects of the drugs and alcohol?
• Do you find yourself losing interest in activities and other things you used to enjoy doing?
• Have you been neglecting important responsibilities as a result of drug and alcohol use?
• Has your drug or alcohol use resulted in issues with relationships?
• Are you constantly craving drugs and alcohol?
• Do you find yourself putting yourself in dangerous situations either to obtain substances or as a result of taking those substances?
• Do you struggle to stop using drugs and alcohol even though you know it’s bad?
• Do you need to keep upping your dose in order to feel the effects/get high?
• Do you have withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit?

If you answered yes to one or multiple questions, then you likely suffer from a drug or alcohol problem and need to enter treatment.

The Stigma With Men and Addiction

One of the toughest aspects of drug and alcohol addiction is admitting to yourself that you have a problem and then getting help. Unfortunately for men, society has taught them that asking for help or admitting that they have a problem is a sign of weakness. That’s just one of the reasons why drug and alcohol abuse is so much more prevalent in men than women.

It’s important to remember that admitting you have a problem is not a sign of weakness and it’s also nothing to be ashamed of. Substance abuse is a disease. Would you be embarrassed to admit that you suffer from allergies? Chances are no. Just like you wouldn’t be embarrassed or ashamed of having allergies, you also shouldn’t feel that way about addiction.

While you might feel like it’s too late and that all hope is lost, it’s important to know that it’s never too late to get the help you need. Men’s rehab facilities understand the social pressures that men are under to seem like the stronger gender and never show signs of weakness. It’s also because of this that men’s rehab can help men with specific issues that they deal with on their own.

When it comes to substance abuse and its effects on the body and mind, including trauma and mental health, men and women are very different. As a result, it’s important to treat them as such when it comes to their recovery. What might work for men might not work for women, and vice versa.

Men experience many issues during recovery that women don’t, including anger, low self-esteem, and stress management. Unfortunately, men are also turning to drugs and alcohol more and more to cope with personal issues or things going on in the world. Because of this, providing a safe space for men of all ages to get the help that they need is more important than ever.

At a men’s rehab center, men are able to get the treatment that they need without having to worry about being judged or wondering what others think of them. Everyone there is a man and they all have the same goal of getting clean and sober.

By attending a men’s only rehab program, you have the peace of mind of knowing that everyone there has the same goal in mind, and that’s to get clean and sober. Additionally, everyone who works at a men’s rehab is specifically trained to deal with men and their needs as they begin their road to recovery.

Once in treatment, men may find it difficult to analyze their problems and may become aggressive, competitive, or combative with staff or fellow group members. They tend to feel this way because they are experiencing a vulnerability that they’ve most likely never experienced before. They are finally opening themselves up and learning about themselves and their issues.

Staff at men’s rehab programs will have experience working with recovering men and will understand their unique challenges of treatment and recovery. Simply being around other men in treatment may help patients to see that they are not alone.

While men’s rehab is designed to specifically treat men with addiction issues, there are many similarities with regular addiction treatment.

Detox

To start, you will undergo detox to clear your body of all the harmful substances in your body. When undergoing detox, it is crucial that it be done at a medical facility or at a designated treatment facility like Harmony Ridge. Self-detoxing can be very dangerous and even deadly which is why it is important to detox under medical supervision.

Inpatient/Outpatient Treatment

After detox, you will begin either inpatient or outpatient treatment depending on which option is best for you. In order to provide the best individualized care possible, you will undergo an evaluation where you will be asked about your substance abuse, medical history, mental health, and any other things that might be relevant to treatment.

Therapy

Your treatment plan will likely consist of a variety of therapy sessions, including individual and group therapy. It is in these sessions where you will learn exactly what caused your addiction in the first place. You will also learn ways to fight your urges to use and abuse drugs and alcohol as well as re-teach your body to live without needing drugs and alcohol.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Studies have shown that men tend to respond well to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In this type of therapy, the counselor works with the patient to discover harmful thoughts and behaviors that keep them locked in unhealthy patterns. They then work to develop better ways of thinking and operating. CBT also helps in developing new ways of coping with everything that life brings without turning to drugs and alcohol.

At Harmony Ridge, we know that men are unique when it comes to their treatment. That is why we offer a variety of treatment programs specifically for men. We offer drug and alcohol rehab as well as detox services. Some of the substances that we treat include:

• Alcohol
• Ambien
• Barbiturates
• Benzos
• Cocaine
• Fentanyl
• Heroin

If you or a man in your life is in need of treatment, don’t wait another day to get started. Contact us today to learn about our men’s rehab programs we offer and begin your road to recovery.