What challenges are you facing in recovery? Do some of the challenges that you struggle to share relate to your gender? There are some issues that women tend to face more often in recovery. Similarly, there are challenges that men face in recovery more frequently than women.
Many addiction treatment facilities offer gender-specific or gender-informed care. NorthStar Transitions sees this as part of being a healthy place for people to recover.
Gender-informed care can make people feel more comfortable opening up. Men, women, and queer people all face unique challenges in addiction and recovery. These are challenges that they may not feel comfortable sharing with those of a different gender.
Understanding these challenges helps facilities focus their programs on addressing them in treatment.
When it comes to addiction recovery, men are at a disadvantage from the start. Research indicates that men are less likely to seek treatment than people of other genders.
This is due to the stigmas and stereotypes men face about discussing their mental health and seeking treatment. However, addiction does not discriminate. It is vital for men to feel comfortable fully engaging in treatment so that they can recover.
NorthStar Transitions attempts to address men's fears of opening up by connecting men with other male peers in recovery. When men can share the issues they face in recovery with each other, they may feel less shame and hesitation. This reduces stigma and helps men achieve and maintain sobriety.
Mental illness is incredibly common. In 2021, about 57.8 million Americans had one or more mental disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
While mental illness appears more prevalent in women, men also experience mental health conditions. Unfortunately, men are less likely to seek help. Since untreated mental health disorders increase the risk of substance abuse, men may be at greater risk of abusing substances.
Data on substance abuse suggests this is the case. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), men tend to have higher rates of use or dependence on drugs and alcohol than women.
The type of substances typically used by men and women also vary. For example, men may be more likely to use and become dependent on alcohol. Women may be more likely to misuse prescription opioids.
At the end of the day, men and women experience mental illness differently. For that reason, it is sometimes necessary to consider gender-informed or gender-specific mental health or addiction treatment. That may include enrolling in a gender-specific residential treatment program, attending gender-informed support group meetings, or finding a sponsor of the same gender.
Of course, you can determine for yourself whether gender-specific options such as these are beneficial to you. The benefits of gender-specific care depend on your situation. Consider, for example, your level of comfort in sharing parts of your story with members of the opposite gender.
Some benefits of gender-specific treatment for men include:
You may be an open book and comfortable sharing things with everyone and anyone. However, that is not the case for everyone. For some people, gender-specific care may be the best way for them to seek treatment comfortably.
There are several unique challenges men face in recovery that may not be faced by others.
The first challenge men face is that they are less likely to seek treatment. This is because there are many stereotypes and stigmas related to men seeking treatment for their mental health. These stigmas discourage men from seeking mental health and addiction treatment. They may fear appearing weak or incompetent by seeking help.
Unfortunately, the decreased likelihood of seeking treatment poses other threats for men. For example, it increases men's risk of developing depression and considering suicide. Unfortunately, suicide is a leading cause of death among men. Additionally, roughly six million men are affected by depression across the United States each year.
If we're forced to find a silver lining, it's that many men experience these challenges. That means that you're not alone if you are a man experiencing SUD or depression and struggling to find help for it. You can take comfort in knowing that many other men understand. Additionally, facilities like NorthStar Transitions can help you handle the challenges you face.
NorthStar Transitions provides a healthy place for both men and women to recover from SUD. We address the unique challenges men face in recovery by offering:
If you are a man trying to cope with stigmas and stereotypes while seeking addiction or mental health treatment, consider NorthStar Transitions today. We can address any challenges you face through gender-informed and individualized treatment programs.
Addiction and mental health struggles do not discriminate. However, being a man does present some unique challenges in recovery. Men are more likely to use illicit substances. They are also less likely to seek professional addiction and mental health treatment. That is largely because there are still many stigmas and stereotypes surrounding men and mental health. These stigmas expose men to other unique challenges they face in recovery, such as a greater likelihood of developing depression or considering suicide. The good news is that men can recover too. NorthStar Transitions can help men with the unique challenges they face through gender-informed and individualized treatment plans. Call us at (303) 558-6400 to learn more today.
