Opioid addiction is an ongoing crisis gripping the country. What started as a promising medication for people experiencing severe pain devolved into a decades-long struggle with seemingly no end in sight. Millions of individuals struggle with addiction to fentanyl, heroin, and prescription painkillers each year. It causes widespread suffering, tears families apart, and claims hundreds of thousands of lives.
Addiction does not discriminate; it affects men and women, young and old, rich and poor. However, men struggling with opioid addiction often face a unique set of challenges. They tend to be the primary providers for their family which keeps them pushing forward instead of admitting they have a problem. Although opioid addiction treatment for men is widely available, men experience societal stigma, emotional barriers, and shame in asking for help.
If you are a man struggling with opioid addiction, you understand how hard it is to reach out. But reaching out for help is crucial if you want to overcome your struggles and find freedom from the grips of opioid addiction. Men’s addiction recovery programs are an important part of the recovery process for millions of men. As soon as you are ready to ask for help, you will find the support you need. Continue reading to learn more about opioid addiction, how to quit opioids safely, and how to find the best options for opioid addiction.
Understanding Opioid Addiction in Men
Opioids are a class of drugs that include heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), and morphine. They are powerful painkillers used to treat people experiencing severe pain. Unfortunately, they have some side effects that encourage misuse, such as intense feelings of happiness and relaxation. People continue taking opioids to experience these pleasant feelings, but repeated use can lead to dependence or addiction.
Some people seek out opioids to misuse them, but others start using them for legitimate reasons and develop a problem over time. Opioids are powerful drugs, and the path to addiction is subtle but strong. Many times people do not realize how dependent they are on these substances until they experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop. Signs of opioid addiction in men include:
Physical Signs
- Drowsiness or Sedation: Frequent nodding off or appearing unusually tired
- Pinpoint Pupils: Constricted pupils that do not react to light
- Weight Loss: Unexplained or rapid weight loss
- Respiratory Issues: Slow or shallow breathing
- Frequent Flu-like Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, or sweating may occur regularly
Behavioral Changes
- Social Withdrawal: Avoiding family, friends, or previously enjoyed activities
- Neglect of Responsibilities: Failing to meet work, school, or family obligations
- “Doctor Shopping”: Visiting multiple doctors to obtain additional prescriptions
- Financial Problems: Unexplained spending or borrowing money frequently
Psychological Symptoms
- Mood Swings: Sudden changes in mood, from euphoria to irritability or depression
- Anxiety or Paranoia: Increased nervousness or suspicion without cause
- Cravings: Obsessive thoughts about obtaining and using opioids
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder is an evidence-based treatment approach for opioid addiction. MAT uses FDA-approved prescription medications to help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and relieve opioid cravings during early recovery. Many treatment programs employ the use of MAT to make the first few weeks and months of recovery more manageable so you can focus on your treatment program with limited distractions.
Common medications used for MAT include:
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone): Buprenorphine is the most commonly prescribed drug for medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. It is a long-lasting and slow-acting medication that reduces intense cravings and relieves withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it does not have the full effect of other semi-synthetic opioids.
- Methadone: Methadone is another common medication used for MAT. It is a slow-acting opioid that reduces the euphoric effects of other opioids and relieves withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is a full opioid agonist, though, meaning it works similarly to other opioids and gives it a higher potential for misuse compared to buprenorphine.
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol): Naltrexone is the third type of MAT medication. It blocks the euphoric and sedative effects of opioids while relieving cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, so it has no opioid-like effects and has little to no potential for misuse or addiction.
Despite its efficacy, there are some concerns about MAT. A portion of people in recovery believe that medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder simply replaces one drug with another. MAT alone is not an effective treatment for opioid addiction because some medications have the potential for misuse. However, when used under a doctor’s direction in combination with behavioral therapies and other treatment approaches, MAT can be a useful part of a well-rounded treatment plan.
Behavioral Therapies for Opioid Addiction
Behavioral therapies are the other important component of opioid addiction treatment for men. Overcoming addiction requires you to change your thinking and behavior. Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder does not create these changes, it only provides relief from symptoms and cravings. Combining MAT with behavioral therapies provides a vital, well-rounded approach to opioid addiction treatment for men. What are some common behavioral therapies for opioid addiction?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used therapeutic modalities in men’s addiction recovery programs. It focuses on changing negative cognitions and thoughts which leads to changed behavior. CBT is a useful approach not only for opioid addiction but for a wide range of mental health disorders.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a more focused approach for overcoming addiction. It originated as a modality for borderline personality disorder but has since expanded to other high-risk diagnoses including opioid use disorder. DBT is similar to CBT but incorporates and stresses the importance of mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation.
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Trauma and substance use disorders are highly correlated. Some studies show that as many as half of individuals who abuse substances experienced physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives. This highlights the importance of trauma-informed therapy. Trauma-informed therapy recognizes the presence of trauma, considers its potential effects, and takes an intentional approach to treatment and care.
Group Therapy & Peer Support
Group therapy and peer support programs are another crucial component of men’s addiction recovery programs. Men are taught to keep their struggles to themselves and, as a result, find it almost impossible to open up to others. The best rehab options for opioid addiction incorporate a group therapy component where men can learn to trust others and be open and honest about their struggles with other men who understand their experiences.
Choosing the Right Rehab Program
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to opioid addiction treatment for men. Individualized approaches to care are the most effective way to treat opioid addiction, and there are many types of men’s addiction recovery programs to help the most people possible.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment
The two main types of opioid addiction treatment are inpatient and outpatient programs. Inpatient programs are full-time programs that include a residential component and usually last between 30 and 90 days. Outpatient programs are a part-time treatment program, typically 3 to 5 days per week for 2 to 3 hours per day, and allow people to return home at the end of the session.
Inpatient programs are useful for people who feel they need to be removed from their everyday environment to get sober. Unfortunately, this often isn’t an option for men seeking opioid addiction treatment. When a man is the primary provider for his family, he cannot take three months off work to go to treatment. This is where adaptable outpatient treatment programs step in and allow these men to receive the help and support they need.
The Benefits of Men-Only Addiction Treatment Programs
Some treatment facilities are co-ed and work with men and women in the same program. Others provide gender-specific care, where only women or men can attend. Men’s addiction recovery programs are an excellent option for men struggling with opioid addiction. Attending a treatment program with other men who understand the unique challenges men face when overcoming addiction can make a big difference.
Finding Healing at New Origins Treatment Center
If you are a man struggling with opioid addiction and ready to seek treatment, New Origins is here to help. We provide outpatient opioid addiction treatment for men in and around the Redlands, CA area. New Origins understands the difficulties men face when living with addiction and seeking treatment, and we are dedicated to providing that individualized and specialized approach to care.
New Origins offers a range of evidence-based treatment modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, medication-assisted treatment, anger management, family programs, and more. We know that no two men are exactly alike and we develop a tailored treatment approach for each man who enters our facility based on his individual needs.
If you would like to learn more about receiving opioid addiction treatment for men at New Origins, call us today at (855) 984-1788 or submit an online contact form. We are here to answer your questions, help you find the program that best fits your needs, and connect you with the help you need today.
