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WHY MEN’S-ONLYREHAB WORKSThe Benefits of Gender-Specific Drug& Alcohol Addiction Treatment

CONTENTTABLE OF CONTENTSCHAPTER 1:THE QUEST FOR CONTROL OVER ADDICTIONCHAPTER 2:WHY CHOOSE GENDER-SPECIFIC ADDICTION TREATMENT?CHAPTER 3:GETTING REAL – MALE EXPERIENCES LEADING TO ADDICTIONCHAPTER 4:JUST US GUYS – THE MALE EXPERIENCE IN ADDICTION RECOVERYCHAPTER 5:A MAN’S TRUE POWER COMES FROM WITHIN135710

CHAPTER 1:CONTROLTHE QUEST FOR CONTROL OVER ADDICTIONThe goal of addiction treatment is to take control of one’s life back from addiction.Chemical dependency is when the need to consume a substance takes control of aperson’s life, when he no longer has the power to stop the addictive behavior by his ownfree will.Because an addict literally can’t stop drinking or using on his own, the only way for himto overcome addiction is with professional help.A common mistake that addicts and their family members make is in thinking that theaddicted person can quit if he would just: Make up his mind to really do itExercise some self-disciplineQuit making excusesTake his life more seriouslyGet his act togetherAttain the right job or get into the right relationshipSee how his actions are hurting himself and othersThe truth is these things will not help you or your loved one quit an addiction. They can,however, lead to getting help to fight the addiction.Many men who are substance users think that they don’t need rehabilitation, that they’vegot the situation under control. They say that they’re going to quit tomorrow, next weekor after such and such happens. But the truth is that if they were going to quit, theywould have already done so.1

If a person keeps saying, “I’m going to quit,” but never does, that’s a telltale sign ofaddiction. When someone wants to do something but can’t, then he needs help doing it.Take Back Control. Ask for Directions.At this point, it’s a cliché that most men don’t like to ask for directions. Why not ask fordirections? Because then you’d have to admit you’re lost.And if men don’t like to admit they’re lost, how much harder must it be to admit thatthey’ve lost control of their lives to drugs or alcohol?This is not an easy thing to admit, which is whymost drug and alcohol abusers are in denial abouttheir addiction. This is especially hard for men whohave been raised in a society that upholds the ideathat a strong man doesn’t need help.Men seeking to overcome addiction need anenvironment where it’s safe to admit they havea problem, that it’s OK to ask for help, and one inwhich they will be given tools to take back control oftheir lives in a way that honors their male identity.2

CHAPTER 2:MALE REHABWHY CHOOSE GENDER-SPECIFIC ADDICTION TREATMENT?There are many different approaches to addiction rehab, so it’s important to choosea program that you feel is a good match for you or your loved one. One of the factorsto consider is whether you prefer a co-ed (male and female) or single-gendertreatment center.Differences in How Men & Women Experience Addiction and TreatmentScientists have identified differences between men and women in terms of how they startabusing substances, how they operate while addicted, and how they approach rehabilitation.Generally speaking, researchers have found that:MenWomenStart using substances earlier in lifeBecome addicted more quickly oncethey start usingAre more likely to begin using forrecreational purposes or to increaseproductivity at workAre more likely to begin using to dealwith their emotions or because aspouse/partner is usingAre more likely to start using due tomilitary-related PTSDAre more likely to use because of amood/mental disorder3

However, in individual cases, all of the above factors can apply to people from both genders.Both men and women are commonly drawn to substance abuse due to factors such as: History of abuse, sexual assault or post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), all of which can lead to substance use to numb the pain caused bypast experiences Mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, etc. Substance abuse by family members, which is then adopted by others in the family Chronic pain, which can lead to addiction to prescription painkillers and heroinThe Benefits of Gender-Specific Addiction TreatmentEven if men and women are lead to addiction by similar circumstances, it’s extremely helpfulfor treatment to be customized to the particular needs of each gender.Studies have shown that same-gender settings lead to a more open, relaxed and honestenvironment. This is because in men-only or women-only groups: There is no need to keep up appearances for the opposite sex. Clients are surrounded by others who understand from personal experiencewhat it’s like to face the social and cultural pressures of their gender.As a result, men commonly feel more comfortable in an all-male environment, and womengenerally feel more comfortable in an all-female environment.Feeling comfortable is crucial in recovery, since the process involves taking an honest look atone’s past and what led to addiction, in addition to sharing experiences openly.The benefits of a male-only addiction recovery program in particular include: Reduced possibility of romantic distractions during treatmentRemoving the expectation to be tough and in control at all timesLess judgment, more open discussionFocus on issues that affect men specificallyBonding through common experiencesAt Reflections Recovery Center, our men-only rehab program helps clients feel more relaxed,build a strong support network, and focus on issues specific to the male experience ofaddiction and recovery.4

CHAPTER 3:GETT ING REALGETTING REAL – MALE EXPERIENCES LEADING TO ADDICTIONMen, like women, struggle with issues such as: Body imagePressure to achieve on the jobCareer dissatisfactionParenting and family obligationsChronic painMental health disordersPhysical and sexual abuse, assault and violenceA common misconception is that sexual abuse only happens to women. However, morethan 20 percent of heterosexual men, more than 40 percent of gay men and nearly 50percent of bisexual men report being victim of some form of sexual abuse in their lives.Being that sexual abuse is a less common experience for men, this makes it even moredifficult for men who do experience it to talk about it and seek help with the resultingfeelings.Men are also frequently victims of physical and mental abuse, often as children.Men who experience abuse of any type are more likely to continue the cycle of violenceand become abusers themselves, repeating the behavior they experienced in their youth.These individuals often become addicted to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism, orsimply because that’s what they grew up seeing.5

These men can benefit from the understanding of other men who have had similarexperiences, as well as specialized counseling and anger management assistance alongwith addiction treatment.Even men who haven’t experienced trauma or abuse, and begin using drugs for work-relatedor recreational reasons, will find it difficult to recognize when their substance use has gottenout of control. And when they do, they’re still less likely to ask for help.The Pressures Men FaceWhile people of all genders feel the pressure to keep their problems hidden, this pressure isespecially strong for men.Society generally expects men to: Never be a victim Always be in control Not express their emotions (other than anger, confidence and aggression, perhaps)But the reality is men feel the full spectrum of emotions that women do. They aren’t alwaysin control. Life deals hard blows to men too, and they can’t help but be affected by it.Men need a space where they feel safe addressing these sensitive issues while maintainingand reaffirming their male identity. BikingSkateboardingBMXingBonfires and BBQsTrips to local museums and cultural eventsThe mild climate and beautiful surroundings of our location in Prescott, Arizona are idealfor outdoor activities of all types. Prescott has a small-town feel, yet boasts nearly all theamenities of a modern city. It is located just 1.5 hours away from Phoenix, the sixth-largestcity in the country.The men who come to Reflections enjoy having an active lifestyle and the many outdooractivities we do because they provide a low-pressure way to build healthy friendships whilehaving a great time.These activities provide a break from the more serious aspects of treatment, yet they alsoset the foundation for greater openness during therapy sessions.6

CHAPTER 4:JUST US GUYSJUST US GUYS – THE MALE EXPERIENCE IN ADDICTION RECOVERYLet’s explore in greater detail how males can benefit from an addiction treatmentprogram geared specifically to their needs as men.Less Possibility of Romantic Distractions During TreatmentWhen men and woman come together in a rehab setting, it’s not unusual for romancesto develop as clients of both sexes start sharing their personal experiences with eachother. A romantic relationship during rehab provides a pleasant distraction from thediscomfort of going through treatment. But this distraction also takes clients’ focus offwhat they should be concentrating on: their own recovery.A single-gender addiction treatment environment removes the potential distraction ofromantic relationships with the opposite sex, allowing those in recovery to focus ontheir own health and growth.Removing the Expectation to Be Tough and In Control at All TimesWhile it’s certainly a good thing to feel self-confident and empowered, society’sexpectations often swing to the extreme where men are concerned. Men are often toldto “man up,” set aside their feelings, take charge and not show uncertainty or a needfor help. While this is meant to make men stronger, it also has effect of separating menfrom their own emotions and from the help they genuinely need. This actually makesmen weaker, not stronger.7

At Reflections, we encourage men to face reality when it comes to their feelings, theirbehavior and their circumstances. In this safe environment, it’s okay to feel what youreally feel, express true desires and dissatisfaction, and set goals based on what youreally want instead of what others expect.While men may be hesitant at first to express ideas that make them feel vulnerable or indanger of criticism or ridicule, they soon learn what a relief it is to be completely honestwith themselves. The truth reveals a new foundation from which men can become morepowerful in their own lives than ever before.Less Judgment, More Open DiscussionIn an rehab environment where all men areencouraged to be real about the ups and downs intheir lives, there is less judgment. Each man beginsto see that others have had similar experiences, andthey understand each others’ struggles.Open and honest discussion leads to less judgmentand more understanding. Increased understandingand compassion fuels further open and honestdiscussion. Group counseling sessions in the rehabfield are designed to create this nurturing loop ofsharing and acceptance.Focus on Issues that Affect Men SpecificallyWhile men face many of the same social pressures that women face, they experiencethem in different ways. For example: Men and women both face the pressures of work and family, yet womenstruggle with the conflicting goals of career and motherhood, while men faceconflicting ideas of what it means to be a father and provide for his family. Male and female victims of sexual abuse both experience similar emotions,but how society views them (and how they view themselves) as a result ofthese events differs.In a male-only recovery environment, we can focus on the issues and concerns that aremost relevant to men, and how men are impacted by them.Bonding Through Common ExperiencesIn a men-only rehab center, not only do men connect over the sharing of pastexperiences, but they also have opportunities to bond through new experiences offeredin the program.8