Addiction chooses no gender, but it may surprise you that twice as many boys and men over age 12 (11.5%) develop substance use disorders compared to only 6.4% of women and girls.
This poses the question: Are men inherently more susceptible to addiction compared to women?
Here, we will discuss and compare addiction patterns, risk factors, and treatment effectiveness between genders to find out if men are, indeed, more prone to addiction.
Addiction is a pervasive issue that affects various demographics, including gender. While its roots are deeply embedded in biology, psychology, and societal expectations, the question of whether some people are predisposed to substance use disorders and addiction requires a more nuanced explanation.
There are distinct gender differences in addiction. Biologically, men and women differ in terms of testosterone and estrogen production and average body size and composition, which causes substances to affect the body diversely.
Social factors, including cultural expectations and societal norms, addiction stigma, childcare responsibilities, and relationship dynamics can also affect the likelihood of addiction. Furthermore, psychological aspects can shape and influence the relationship between gender and addiction.
There are addiction patterns that are observed more commonly in men. Historically, substance use rates among men were higher compared to women. For example, 58% of adult men have reported drinking alcohol in the past month compared with only 49% of adult women. Men also have a preference for some substances over others, specifically, alcohol, marijuana, and heroin.
When it comes to drug usage, men also surpass women. 22% of men have used drugs in the past year compared to only 17% of women. The percentage of men who use opioids, heroin, prescription painkillers, cocaine, methamphetamines, and other substances is higher than that of women.
While it takes men longer to develop an addiction once they begin using substances compared to women, they tend to encounter substance use at younger ages.
Men also engage in more risk-taking behaviors across various aspects of life, including experimentation with substance use. This can lead to greater exposure to drugs and alcohol and the tendency to use substances earlier in life, which can affect the likelihood of addiction later on.
Due to these distinct differences, men and women must receive gender-specific treatment. Not only will it cater to your individual needs and circumstances, but it will also foster a greater sense of connection, community, and comfort.
There are several risk factors unique to men that can influence the possibility that they will develop an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol.
The first and greatest risk factor is societal expectations. There are socially constructed ideas about what it means to be a man that can harm your well-being. This is often referred to as toxic masculinity, and it includes the belief that behaviors traditionally considered feminine are weak and undesirable.
Given this, you may experience pressure to be seen as masculine by peer groups, which can add pressure to take more risks, handle things on your own, hide your emotions, and turn to addictive substances for coping.
Stress and anxiety are other risk factors for developing substance abuse disorder and addiction in men. You may feel or struggle with extreme pressure to succeed at work and in life due to a common perception that you should be the breadwinner and provider for your family. This, combined with a lack of support from family members and close friends can cause feelings of isolation and anxiety that can lead to substance use.
Women also experience stress but they do so differently from men. They tend to be more emotionally exhausted and face pressures to be good caregivers for children and/or elderly parents. This difference in main stressors changes the way they interact with substances compared to men.
According to SAMHSA, substance use disorders and mental health problems can sometimes occur together. Certain substances can lead men with addiction to experience symptoms of mental health problems.
On the other hand, mental health problems can sometimes lead to substance use as men may misuse drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication or a way to cope. Substance use problems often occur with mental health problems, such as anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, and personality disorders.
Men are at a disadvantage when it comes to addiction recovery. They are less likely to seek help due to the stigma and stereotypes they face when discussing their mental health and seeking treatment. While women tend to focus inward when dealing with mental health challenges, men typically correct these feelings externally, including using substances to cope.
Furthermore, gender roles can exacerbate these challenges. Societal perceptions exist that influence how men and women behave. You may perceive men as “manly” if they work to the point of exhaustion, have a high alcohol tolerance, and even have a high number of romantic partners.
While more people and mental health professionals are recognizing that these external behaviors are masks for underlying difficulties, there is still plenty of research to be done on how to preventatively provide effective care.
Treatment approaches vary depending on what type of addiction needs to be treated, whether the individual needs to overcome a meth addiction or requires help with recovering from alcohol dependence.
Men’s programs are geared toward individuals who were born male and currently present as male and are designed to address issues commonly faced by men in their experiences with addiction. An aspect that treatment options aim to target is the complexities of the social elements of male addiction. These programs are also meant to help change your views about addiction and treatment, especially since you may feel weak or like a failure by agreeing to enter rehab.
Addiction does not discriminate, but being a man does entail having some unique challenges in addiction recovery. The good news is that you can and will recover, going on to live a healthy and more fulfilling life.
Rehab can also positively impact your professional life, resulting in success and a better sense of overall well-being. Our services at Freedom Recovery ensure that you are empowered to take charge of your recovery. Visit our website today for more details.
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