Rehabs for Men Only
While many aspects are the same or similar in both male and female substance abuse treatment programs, men-only rehab programs address issues and situations that are unique to men or better dealt with in a men’s treatment program. There are many rehab centers for men that address the gender-specific needs of males in treatment.
The need for men-only rehab centers
Just as women have specific issues and needs that are better addressed in female-only treatment settings, men often have issues or situations that are specific to men or that are better addressed in a men’s rehab setting. Men have long been considered more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs than women, but when men do become dependent or addicted to a drug, it is for different reasons that women. When men and women fail to successfully complete a rehab program, the reasons given are often different for men than the reasons given by women who fail to complete treatment.
In event of a relapse after successful substance abuse treatment, the reasons given for the relapse are likely to differ among men and women. The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explains in the April 2014 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) Report that “gender is an important factor to consider when examining patterns of substance abuse, such as overall prevalence rates and substances of choice.” There are other factors in substance abuse patterns that vary from men to women such as age and drug of choice among some age groups.
Addressing abuse as part of men’s rehab
Another factor that may warrant the need for men-only rehab programs is the fact that men are often victims of sexual abuse or assault, just as women are. Men who have been molested as a child or raped may feel extreme shame or guilt that can be better addressed in a men-only treatment setting.
Men who are batterers in a domestic violence situation need specific treatment that can include interventions for violent behavior while in rehab. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) points to Chapter 3 of “Substance Abuse Treatment and Domestic Violence,” which indicates that while domestic violence does occur in the absence of substance abuse, over 50 per cent of cases of domestic violence involve the batterer using alcohol.
Men are more likely to suffer from anger-related issues that contribute to their substance abuse and addiction. But men may fail to realize that using to deal with anger takes them in a never-ending vicious circle – they drink or use other drugs to deal with their anger, failing to realize that the drugs are exacerbating their anger.
Anger management is often addressed in men-only rehab programs, which can help men learn other ways to cope besides drinking or using other drugs, to accept responsibility instead of blaming their partner for their own failures. Finding other ways to deal with their issues instead of resorting to substance abuse and violence is also addressed.
Gender differences in substance abuse and relapse
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), men relapse for different reasons and at different rates than women do when in treatment. The results of several NIDA-funded studies concluded that men are more likely to relapse than women in treatment, with one study demonstrating that men were also less likely to participate in group counseling sessions than women. Another one of the studies concluded that men were less motivated than women who are in rehab.
Gender differences do not only exist in treatment success, as NIDA explains, saying that “scientists also have identified gender differences in drug abusers’ experiences before and during relapse.” Men are more likely to report that they can control their drug use, to rationalize and justify using and to feel “entitled” to use. It is important to note that these particular findings were the result of a study conducted by Dr. James McKay and fellow University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia researchers, who conducted the study on men and women in treatment for cocaine addiction.
Men versus women: likelihood of entering rehab
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids says that “twice as many men” entered into a substance abuse treatment facility, compared to the number of women who entered into substance abuse treatment in 2011. Not only were the numbers of men versus women entering into rehab programs different, but so was their drug of choice in certain age groups. While teenage boys were more likely to abuse marijuana, in the 18 to 24 age group, only 3 per cent of the young men claimed marijuana to be their drug of choice. The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids quoted SAMHSA Chief Medical Officer Elinore McCance-Katz as saying that “This report provides insight into how age and gender relate to substance abuse.”
Choosing a mens rehab program
Given the special needs of men in need of substance abuse treatment, a men-only rehab center is often the ideal choice. Specific needs can be addressed and dealt with during the treatment program. Some rehab centers for men also have programs for men with dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. Others are designated solely as sexual abuse treatment centers. There are men-only rehab programs that are outpatient-only, in-patient only or a combination. Depending on the type of facility and other factors, the rehab facility may require men to go to work while in treatment, while other facilities are partially or completely secured. This is especially true if it is a rehab facility for men who are court-ordered to successfully complete a substance abuse treatment program.
When you are searching for a men’s rehab program, you want to make sure that it addresses your specific needs and you may want a facility close to your home. Sober Recovery has the largest virtual directory available on the internet to assist you in finding help for your alcohol addiction or addiction to other substances. Do not worry about having to wrangle with your insurance company over the telephone to try and determine if they will cover any portion of your treatment. We can take care of helping you discover whether part or even all of your treatment is covered by your insurance. We provide you with a free, confidential insurance benefits check so that you can quickly learn if your treatment at a men’s rehab facility is covered and to help ensure that you get the highest quality care available with your insurance.
[Source: SAMHSA, NIH, NCBI, Drugabuse.gov]