Gender-Specific Addiction Treatment
Lasting sobriety is possible for everyone, yet relapse rates are as high as 50 percent within the first twelve weeks of completing treatment. Attending a gender-specific treatment program like Prosperity Haven can be a game-changer, increasing your chances of attaining long-term sobriety. Read on to find out more about the benefits of gender-specific treatment.
What is Gender-Specific Treatment?
Gender-specific rehab involves only same-gender participants. It includes the same stages as a regular rehab program – detox, inpatient, outpatient, and sober living – but treatment plans are based on gender-specific addiction patterns.
If you’ve attended rehab before and felt uncomfortable, out of place, or inhibited, those feelings likely hampered your recovery. In a gender-specific rehab program, you’ll find healing in a supportive environment, build meaningful relationships, enjoy highly relevant group therapy sessions, and explore gender-specific causes for your addiction. You’ll also benefit from the expertise of staff who understand your gender-specific needs – including physiology, biology, emotional tendencies, triggers, stressors, and challenges – for a more holistic, longer-lasting recovery.
How Men and Women Experience Addiction Differently
Addiction is devastating for both men and women, but each gender experiences addiction differently. Genetic, biological, cultural, and environmental influences play a role. While not all males and females will follow typical patterns, in general, considering gender-specific patterns in addiction facilitates more effective treatment.
- Men tend to start using substances because of perceived benefits – such as greater concentration and increased sociability.
- Peer pressure is a common push for men to start using substances.
- Some male-dominated industries are particularly stressful, fuelling addiction issues. Medical professions, for example, are linked with higher rates of substance abuse.
- Men whose fathers abused substances are more likely to have problems with substance abuse.
- Women tend to start using substances to escape painful emotions. Most women who experience addiction suffered a trauma (most often sexual abuse.)
- Some women may turn to substances because they’re overwhelmed by the many roles they have to play. Research indicates that up to 70 percent of women who attend rehab have children.
- Women whose mothers abused substances are more likely to have problems with substance abuse.
- Men are more likely to abuse substances than women. 20% of males aged 12 and older struggled with a substance abuse disorder in 2022, compared with 14.7% of females, according to the Samhsa 2022 National Survey.
- Multi-drug use is more common in males than in females.
- Women are less likely to use illicit drugs than men. According to the Samhsa 2022 National Survey, 14.3% of females over the age of 12 use illicit drugs, compared with 18.9% of males.
- Men are more likely to report marijuana and alcohol use.
- Women are more likely to report non-medical use of prescription drugs.
- Men who complete treatment are less likely to relapse than women.
- Men are more likely to relapse when they’re alone.
- Women experience more intense cravings for drugs or alcohol after recovery and are more likely to relapse than men.
- Women are more likely to relapse in the presence of romantic partners.
- Women often relapse due to societal pressure, stress, or relationship issues.
- Fluctuations in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle may increase women’s cravings and negative emotions – both relapse triggers.
- Men begin using substances at higher doses than women.
- Men are more likely to “stabilize” substance abuse at lower doses than women.
- Women often begin using substances at lower doses than men.
- Female drug abuse often escalates more quickly into addiction. This may be due to estradiol and progesterone hormones.
- Women are more likely to go to the emergency room or fatally overdose due to substance abuse.
- Men are often reluctant to seek help.
- Women tend to enter treatment sooner than men after developing an addiction.
- Men are less likely to experience mental health disorders alongside their addiction issues.
- Men who struggle with addiction are more likely to experience antisocial personality disorder.
- Women experience more psychological distress alongside addiction, particularly depression and anxiety disorders.
- Men generally metabolize substances faster than women. For example, the enzyme dehydrogenase, which metabolizes alcohol, is 50% higher in men than women.
- Alcohol and other substances stay in women’s blood longer than in men’s due to slower metabolism. Alcohol is also less diluted in women than in men because of lesser amounts of fat, muscle, and water.
Benefits of Gender-Specific Treatment
Gender-specific treatment for substance abuse ensures women’s or men’s unique needs are met, and provides a comfortable, supportive environment for recovery. Here’s how:
1. Feeling More at Ease in Rehab
Rehab participants may be more comfortable discussing personal issues with same-gender peers, particularly if they’ve struggled with trauma or abuse from the opposite sex. Same-gender peers often have similar life experiences and can relate to each other better, facilitating deep, meaningful relationships that can help recovery and last long after rehab finishes.
Women
may feel more self-conscious with men present, particularly if they struggle with low self-esteem or a lack of assertiveness. Male assertiveness or aggression can intensify these feelings. In a women-only setting, they can speak up without fear, and feel heard, validated, and understood.
Men
may avoid being vulnerable around women, wanting to present themselves as strong and masculine. A male-only group can make it easier to open up without fear of being judged. Men often have trouble expressing difficult emotions, which may be easier in a supportive mens-only setting.
2. Fewer Distractions and Deeper Friendships
A mixed-gender setting presents opportunities for physical attraction, which often complicates addiction recovery. Flirtation and the development of romantic relationships can distract participants from their recovery goals and heighten self-consciousness – precluding the vulnerability necessary for recovery.
Women
are relationship-driven; meaningful friendships are crucial to recovery. Women gain more from treatment when connected to others in the program. Addiction treatment for women enables healthy relationships with other women, creating a sense of belonging, and facilitating deeper healing.
Men
tend to be less social than women. Men-only rehab provides an optimal setting for cultivating strong male bonds without the distraction of a mixed-gender setting. A supportive network of same-gendered peers is essential for a full recovery, and for maintaining sobriety after rehab is over.
3. Group Therapy Topics are More Relevant
In gender-responsive treatment for substance abuse, therapists can devote more time to topics most relevant to their participants so that everyone can get the most out of each session. Supportive gender-specific therapy groups inspire deeper and more open communication about social and cultural pressures and other gender-specific issues.
Women
who experienced past trauma or abuse are likely uncomfortable sharing in front of men, particularly when it involves discussing a woman's sense of self-worth and value. Mothers suffering from addiction benefit from the support of other women who understand the struggle of experiencing addiction alongside motherhood.
Men
tend to focus on managing anger or aggression during male-only group therapy sessions, where other participants can relate. Gender-specific addiction treatment is important for men who want to discuss male-specific issues, such as their frustration with societal expectations of men, or sensitive issues such as male sexual abuse.
4. Tailored Healthcare and Physical Recuperation
With male and female physiology so different, gender-specific addiction treatment plans are essential. Improving physical health is an important part of any drug and alcohol rehab program. In gender-specific rehab, medical staff are well-versed in male and female biological differences and how they manifest in addiction, withdrawal, and recovery.
Women
present a more severe clinical profile than men when entering rehab. They also experience more severe withdrawal symptoms and cravings and may need specialized care during the detox process. Women who are pregnant or who have children also have unique treatment needs. Addiction treatment for women addresses prenatal and postnatal issues as part of the recovery program. Residential treatment programs that house women along with their young children are becoming increasingly common.
Men
On average, men seek recovery later in life, which means they’re more likely to suffer from the prolonged toll of addiction issues than women. In all-male rehab centers, staff understand these complications and can properly address them. Men-only programs provide a physical recuperation plan tailored to the male physiology, including male-specific nutrition and fitness.
5. More Effective Therapy Plans
In gender-specific treatment programs, therapy focuses on unique male and female issues. Gender-specific treatment for substance abuse considers the emotional tendencies and coping mechanisms typical of each gender. Therapy also addresses relapse triggers, which are different for men and women. Considering the patterns between gender and relapse gives participants a greater chance of lifelong sobriety.
Women
generally prioritize warmth and trust in a therapeutic relationship and prefer more introspective therapeutic modalities that focus on inner healing. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from PTSD following a trauma. In recovery, trauma is often addressed with modalities such as trauma-focused CBT, and prolonged exposure therapy.
Men
often prefer a less personal approach in therapy, favoring a more practical, problem-solving approach. Men often respond better to treatment methods where they learn how to address negative thoughts and behaviors. Men may also require more time than women to open up and discuss emotions, which therapy practitioners are mindful of.
Gender-Specific Treatment at Prosperity Haven
Gender-specific treatment provides a supportive environment for self-discovery and growth, addressing gender-specific issues for optimal healing. While recovery follows the same stages as mixed-gender rehab, treatment plans are more targeted and more effective.
At Prosperity Haven’s mens-only rehab center, 85% of participants have achieved long-term sobriety. Participants benefit from personal treatment plans that acknowledge male issues and male-specific challenges.
At Prosperity Haven, you’ll gain from expert staff, a holistic range of therapies, and a supportive alumni network. We’ll address the root issue of your addiction, helping you find inner peace and giving you the tools you need for lifelong sober living.
Contact us today to begin your journey to recovery. Your addiction-free self awaits.
