Men struggling with substance use disorders often wonder how they can start their journey to addiction recovery. It can be daunting for them to figure out which addiction treatment program or men’s detox center in Baltimore can provide them with the type of support they need. This decision is especially challenging if they think of seeking professional help as a weakness. Social pressure can make men feel like they always need to project strength and never ask for help or admit that they don’t have enough knowledge about something.
For men who feel this way, gender-specific programs may be ideal. Not only will these programs help them overcome addiction, but they do it while addressing gender-specific issues. This type of treatment may help them go through their sober lives after the treatment program is over.
What Is Gender-Specific Treatment?
Gender-specific treatment involves forms of care or programs that specifically treat women and men separately. Patients of a gender-specific program will all be the same gender, and for most programs like this, the staff members will also follow suit.
Men and women experience huge and fundamental differences, both biological and cultural, in the way they experience substance abuse. Gender differences arise in a range of ways, such as:
- The choice of addictive substances
- The reasons for developing their addictions
- A client’s rates of substance dependence
- How the brain and body respond to substance abuse
- The triggers that lead to relapsing
Gender-specific treatment programs are sensitive to all of these issues. They also address the unique needs of each of the sexes in secure, safe, comfortable, and supportive environments.
5 Benefits of Detox for Men
It can be difficult to find centers that cater to specific needs, such as medical detox centers and gender-specific detox centers. However, at men’s detox centers, men can open up about the different issues that affect them as they begin their recovery. They may have specific medical issues, need to address underlying trauma, or struggle to live up to societal stereotypes. The staff of a men’s detox center will be compassionate and be considerate of their needs.
Specialized Treatment for Men
Research shows that most men attend an addiction treatment center due to cannabis usage or heavy and uncontrolled binge drinking. On the other hand, women have a higher rate of abusing prescription drugs. Men also typically require residential treatment or addiction treatment programs that last for more than a few weeks.
At men’s detox centers, these differences are not only known to the staff but are also embraced by their programs. For example, a typical drug detox center may only offer inpatient programs that last a minimum of 90 days.
Fewer Distractions and More Focus on Recovery
Patients may become attracted to each other. They may also be less likely to open up around each other due to shyness or distrust. In either case, a patient may be distracted by the presence of other patients that are of a different gender. For patients like this, a gender-specific treatment program can offer a more relaxing and fruitful environment for their addiction recovery.
Foundation for Better Peer Support
Patients thrive in environments where they can gain support and social interaction from their peers. However, some patients may only be able to connect with other patients of the same gender. It’s more likely that the same gender will help them understand their issues and not make them feel embarrassed when they share their experiences.
Men may believe that women won’t understand how they feel pressured to be strong and unflappable even though they sometimes feel weak or need help. Opening up or listening to others going through the same experiences may be more productive for men who feel this way.
More Time and Effort Spent Discussing Men’s Issues
Men and women have different experiences and issues involving their substance use disorders. These differences are sometimes best discussed among those of the same gender. After all, only men can truly understand men’s issues.
For example, men may have developed their addiction to cope with the pressure of being breadwinners of their families. Gender-specific treatment allows men to tackle this issue without any women in the room.
More Effective Addiction Treatment
A patient who does not feel comfortable being in a room with the opposite gender is much less likely to participate in group activities unless they’re already in a gender-specific addiction treatment program. By being less likely to participate, they may feel like they’re not getting the full benefits of treatment and may even feel like they’re being left out on purpose.
However, a patient who feels a connection with those around them is more likely to participate in group activities. Therefore, these individuals are more likely to benefit from every part of the addiction treatment program. A gender-specific addiction treatment program is typically far more effective and results in a higher chance of addiction recovery than typical programs.
Find the Best Gender-Specific Treatment Program for You
If you’re looking for a gender-specific addiction treatment program, it’s essential to note that your search shouldn’t stop when you find a treatment center that offers detox programs for men.
The best addiction treatment program for you is not dependent only on whether it’s gender-specific or not. Ask about the treatment facility’s licenses and accreditations. You can also make sure that they accept your health insurance or another preferred payment method. If you’re specifically looking for a detox program, ask whether the treatment center offers MAT (medication-assisted treatment). Find the best addiction detox programs today.
