Rehab for Men in the State of Washington

Unhealthy Stereotypes for Men that Might Lead to Addiction

Unhealthy stereotypes and standards that men are often pressured to embody can cause them extreme stress. These stereotypes do not take into account each man’s uniqueness and their different positive traits. Instead, certain traits and behaviors are stressed to a highly unhealthy level. Unfortunately, other men will often try to push these traits on other men. Here at Free by the Sea, we understand men’s rehab needs and have the tools to help them succeed.

What Causes Some Men to Self Medicate?

Some men might self-medicate, or take substances to ease the stress and pain from stressors in their lives. Some of these stressors might be behavior patterns that are forced on them.

Behavior patterns

• Aggression
• Competitiveness
• Having to be right
• Never showing emotion
• Having to be dominate at all times
• Being able to protect themselves and their families no matter what
• Being expected to be the financial support and top moneymaker in the family

There are also many other issues that harm men’s self-esteem and often harm their sense of self-worth. Men’s rehab is a place where men are able to focus on what matters to them most. Because of very different stereotypes and pressures from society, these issues are often very different issues from women’s issues.

How Addiction Changes Men’s Behavior

Men and Addictive Substances

Men and women often have different needs when it comes to clinical addiction treatment. Men are more likely to start abusing substances like prescription opioids only to get high instead of mostly using them to self-medicate. They are also more likely to get help for their addiction disorder. This is opposed to women who are more likely to take opioids to self-medicate themselves through problems like a major depressive episode. Men tend to become addicted to stimulants, like cocaine, later in life than women and they usually do not become addicted as quickly.

Behavioral Signs of Addiction in Men

Many men who abuse substances tend to turn their emotions outwards and become aggressive and impulsive. They may also try to force behaviors on people. They also might not take instruction well from others. Women tend to turn their emotions inward and experience anxiety, loneliness, and depression. These differences in response to life often require different treatment techniques.

Men go to rehab for self-medicating as well as abusing substances for recreation. There are many places that men can find substances to self-medicate with. One of the most popular and wildly addictive substances is alcohol. Unfortunately, there is a stigma around a man who does not want to drink or cannot drink. Not using substances with other people in the group can make a person feel left out. Even if they are trying to quit on their often fall victim to peer pressure. During clinical recovery, we give men the tools they need to say no to substances when they are offered.

Addiction Statistics: Men vs. Women

Males are 3 times more likely to have problems coming from alcohol abuse and 3.6 times more likely to suffer from alcohol-related harm. Alcohol dependence is 2 times higher in men than it is in women. Men are also much more likely to abuse illegal drugs, specifically cannabis, amphetamines, and opioids than women. They are also almost twice as likely to abuse cocaine starting from the age of 12.

Adult males tend to be 2 to 3 times more likely to develop addictions. However, these higher rates of addiction might sometimes start with the greater opportunity they often have to get substances. Men tend to start abusing substances with their friends. Rehab for men often shows more success than rehab for women. Men tend to relapse less than women and they often do not go down the path of addiction as quickly

Men and women often have their own unique needs. Our men’s only addiction treatment program takes those differences into account and uses them to maximize treatment. We use a holistic treatment plan that takes the whole person into account.

Substance Abuse is Dangerous For Men’s Health

Men can easily fall victim to illnesses that are caused by and/or related to their substance abuse. For example, heroin itself might not cause HIV/AIDS. However, sharing a needle with someone who has HIV/AIDS can expose them. They would not have had that exposure otherwise. It might not seem like a big deal but it is. The risk goes way up if there have been only a few needles shared with multiple people.

Several Illnesses Connected to Addiction

• Cancer
• Lung disease
• Mental disorders
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Cardiovascular disease

Risk Factors and Causes of Addiction

There are several factors that can determine if someone is at risk of forming an addiction.

Genetics

Genetics can account for around 40 to 60 percent of a person’s vulnerability to addiction. Addiction to cocaine and marijuana are 60 to 80 percent determined by genetics. Mental illnesses can often go undiagnosed or improperly treated and this can often lead people to self-medicate.

Self-Medication

When people self-medicate, they turn to addictive substances like heroin and methamphetamine (meth) to help relieve the pain caused by their illness. Unlike women, men are more likely to abuse illicit substances instead of prescription drugs.

Environment

The environment is not limited to home life. Environment includes:

• Social status
• Community type
• Current friend groups
• Work environment
• Peer pressure
• Physical and sexual abuse
• Parental guidance
• Stress

Development

Development is how a person’s life progresses and the choices they make. This includes the choice to take substances. The age at which a person starts to abuse substances is considered part of their development.

Addiction Rehab for Men

Residential Treatment

Often men who develop addiction disorders lack any sort of schedule in their day during an active addiction phase in their life. Even basic structure and routine can help clients on their road to recovery. This need for structure and routine will be a continuing need even after the client has completed their clinical road to recovery. The longer a person has been on their road to recovery the easier it is for them to make exceptions and changes in their routine.

Partial Hospitalization Treatment (PHP)

This can be very helpful if the client has had their driver’s license revoked for driving under the influence of substances. Transportation may still be available under most circumstances. This might be especially true if the client does not have access to transportation for any other reason.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

During the IOP phase of treatment, the patient is at the clinic for fewer hours a day than they were during the PHP. Some patients may be able to start their treatment with an IOP. Whether or not starting treatment in an IOP is a good fit depends on which substances the client has been abusing and for how long. An IOP is also only an option if the client has a stable home environment to return to every day.

During an IOP men have an opportunity to be at home with their family more and work on healing with them. Another benefit of an IOP is some men are able to return to work if they decide to. Work can be very stressful though. There is the chance that some people will want to put it off for a while. This often makes sense as they are still going through their clinical road to their recovery. However, the choice might still be there.

Addiction Treatment at Free by the Sea

Free by the Sea, you will find a program specifically tailored to your needs. Offering rehab for men and women of various ages, our facility is here to help you! Your new life on your journey of sobriety is waiting for you.

You will be able to get back to the things and the people you love, as well as finding joy in new things that you will discover on your way to healing. Contact us here at Free by the Sea to begin your journey to recovery from addiction. We look forward to walking with you on this path!