Seeking professional addiction treatment greatly improves a recovering addict’s odds of success. In fact, the more treatment that a person receives; the more likely they are to achieve lifelong sobriety. However, just as important as duration of treatment is the type of treatment provided. This is especially true for men.
Men have a higher tendency to use nearly all types of illicit substances. They also struggle with substance use disorder for vastly different reasons than women do. General programs with an integrated or co-ed environment don’t always meet their needs. If you’re struggling with addiction and know that you need help, it’s important to look for a program that caters specifically to people like you
This will give you the benefit of needs-specific therapies, and the camaraderie of other males who share your same fears and concerns. It will additionally give you the chance to develop coping skills that are streamlined for the specific triggers, temptations, and stressors you face.
Also known as gender-specific rehab, men’s rehab provides a safe, comfortable, and supportive space for men in recovery. Men who attend these programs have less fear of facing judgement from their fellow patients, and an easier time opening up and sharing.
These and other factors make it possible for men to fully commit to their programs, and to take an active part in group discussions, private counseling, stress management workshops, and other therapies and support services. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of attending addiction treatment, or if you’ve tried and failed in professional treatment before, finding the best rehab for men could be the right solution.
Types of Treatment Options for Men
All people seeking addiction treatment have a variety of program types to choose from. Given that men are often primary or joint breadwinners in their homes, many choose to take part in outpatient drug treatment. Outpatient addiction services require a weekly commitment of 12 to 36 hours depending upon their level of intensity.
Once men have fulfilled their weekly commitment, they can use the remainder of their time to continue working their jobs, attending career training programs, and caring for their families. However, these programs are generally best-suited for men who are ready for the level of self-management they require. They are not ideal for men with long-term addictions, or for those who’ve been using highly addictive substances.
Inpatient treatment takes place on a closed-campus. With these programs, men can receive continuous medical and mental health support. In a men’s inpatient rehab, there’s a far lower risk of relapsing, and an opportunity to step completely away from the challenges and stressors of the outside world. Men can focus entirely on getting well, even as they learn and adopt feasible strategies for managing their lives, their families, their finances once their treatment has ended.
Both inpatient and outpatient treatment can last for a period of one to three months. However, there are also long-term treatment options for both program types that can last as long as six months to one year or even longer.
Different treatment modalities and therapies are leveraged at various rehab locations. Depending upon the rehab program you choose, you may have access to:
- Anger management classes
- Medically assisted detox
- Stress management workshops
- Art therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment and other forms of mental health support
During pre-intake interviews, admissions counselors and other onsite professionals are able to learn more about each prospective patient. These discussions allow rehab centers to determine if their services are capable of meeting the unique needs of the individual. They’re also a chance for men to learn more about the range of services and support that they’ll have access to when attending. By openly sharing in these discussions, you can also find out whether you’re better-suited to an outpatient program or a more structured, men’s inpatient rehab.
What Makes a Gender-Specific Treatment Program Different?
Gender-specific treatment is streamlined for meeting the needs of individual genders rather than taking a general, one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. Not only do studies show that men use substances for different reasons than women do, but they also reveal different tendencies in substance use. For instance:
- Men have a higher likelihood of binge drinking
- They are more likely to overdose or visit the emergency room as the result of drug use
- They have a harder time communicating their feelings in recovery
- Peer pressure is frequently the cause of male substance abuse
- Men have a higher rate of withdrawal symptoms and their symptoms tend to be more severe
These and other differences in how and why men use drugs, and how their gender affects their detox and recovery efforts make gender-specific rehab a significantly more effective approach to addiction recovery for men.
Men are often expected to be self-sufficient, stoic, and ultimately unaffected by the challenges in their lives. Most men who suffer from substance use disorder have a tendency to hide or deny their emotions. Absent of the right support, a man’s need to show himself as being in total control of his life and circumstances can derail his recovery efforts.
By creating a safe, understanding environment, and by ensuring that patients are surrounded by relatable peers, gender-specific rehab makes it possible for recovering men to overcome these common hurdles.
Should You Choose a Men’s Only Rehab?
If you’ve tried substance abuse treatment before in a co-ed rehab program, opting for a more needs-specific solution could be the best choice. Men’s-only rehab can be beneficial for any male who’s living with substance use disorder, and who wants a targeted approach to recovery that has a very high likelihood of producing a successful outcome.
Being in an all-male environment often enables you to share highly personal details about your addiction and your life experiences. This happens without feeling as though others are being critical of you, or as if your experiences are unique. Sharing your story with other men who have lived and struggled like you have can make actively participating in your program both more comfortable and easier.
Rehab is largely about self-discovery. When you feel comfortable sharing details about yourself, and taking part in self-exploration activities that are held in a group setting, you can get the greatest rewards from your overall treatment experience.
Men’s-only rehab offers targeted, gender-specific treatment services and a comfortable, relatable environment. It also sets the stage for sustainable living post-treatment by helping guys develop the skills they need for managing gender-specific stressors.
In these programs, men can learn how to communicate more effectively, how to limit their stress and sense of responsibility, and how to ask for and receive help when they need it. As part of their pre-exit planning, they’ll also be exposed to a variety of resources and tools for better-managing financial and familial stress, establishing and maintaining stability, and more.
What Questions Should You Ask About Treatment?
Every rehab center has a set number of treatment modalities and therapy types available. They also have their own system of guiding beliefs, and one or more selected pathways to recovery. Some rehab centers focus largely on self-responsibility, while others focus on the long-term management of addiction as a chronic disease.
Some treatment centers offer medically assisted detox, and others require their patients to complete detox at separate locations. Due to these differences in program structures, there are several questions that you should ask when shopping for a rehab program. These include:
- Does your program have a detox component?
- Is medically assisted detox available?
- Do patients have access to mental health support or dual diagnosis treatment?
- Are nutrition and physical fitness a part of the program?
- Can treatment plans be customized to suit the needs of the individual?
At Recovery Bay, our counselors are always standing by. We offer a comprehensive men’s addiction treatment plan along with family counseling, mental health services, medication assistance, and post-treatment support. If you’re tired of being addicted to drugs or alcohol and want to find the best rehab for men, we’re here to help. Call us today to learn more about our services or to start an intake interview.