Millions of people experience alcohol and substance use disorders every year. Rates continue rising year after year and the problem shows little sign of slowing. Although there is greater awareness of the problem now than ever before, men and women still struggle with overcoming addiction. There is no shortage of resources and support available but people continue to not ask for help.
Men in particular struggle with asking for help for alcohol and substance abuse. Men are more likely to use almost all types of illicit drugs than women and also have higher rates of abuse or dependence. However, men are also less likely to seek treatment for addiction than women. What keeps men from reaching out for the help they often desperately need?
Both women and men face barriers to treatment, such as societal pressure, limited financial resources, or stigma but men tend to experience these obstructions more often. How do these factors affect men who need addiction treatment and what are some ways to encourage them to seek help?
Societal Expectations and Masculinity Norms
Men are taught how to act and carry themselves from a young age. They are held to certain standards of behavior that their female counterparts do not experience. Young boys are told “boys don’t cry” and they learn to suppress their emotions from then on. No man wants to show weakness in front of his friends. The stronger a man is, the more society holds him up as someone to look up to.
Although society is trying to dismantle these tired masculinity norms, it isn’t easy to undo decades of societal expectations in a few short years. Men still experience significant pressure to deny their emotional struggles which creates significant shame when the time comes to ask for help. There is nothing wrong with strength or self-reliance but problems arise when those attributes keep men from seeking help for a serious alcohol or substance abuse problem.
Stigma and Fear of Judgment
One of the most significant barriers that prevent men from seeking help for addiction is societal stigma. Stigma and masculinity norms are closely related. While every person struggling with addiction or their mental health experience stigma, men tend to be more impacted by it. They are expected to be strong, independent, and capable of handling problems without help. When they find themselves at the mercy of alcohol or drugs and unable to stop, though, this illusion falls apart immediately.
Once a man finds himself controlled by his substance use, he is in a particularly challenging position. Now he must decide between continuing to struggle with alcohol and drugs or face the possible judgment of his peers, colleagues, and even family members when he asks for help. Hopefully, most men are part of communities that support their asking for help, but plenty are still surrounded by people who uphold these outdated expectations of men.
Men may also find themselves in the middle of the two spaces. Their family might support their seeking treatment for addiction but their friends or workplace could discourage it. This is often true in male-dominated industries like the trades where an ongoing unspoken code encourages substance use and discourages vulnerability. The fear of being perceived as weak can keep men trapped in an ongoing cycle of alcohol and drug use instead of reaching out for help.
Emotional and Psychological Barriers
Emotional and psychological barriers are another notable barrier to care for men struggling with addiction. Men often have difficulties expressing emotions or being vulnerable. Asking for help requires at least some vulnerability that men may not feel capable of. The added internal struggle of guilt and shame that comes with finding themselves unable to handle their seemingly insurmountable problem makes it worse.
Denial and minimization are also a part of the problem. It’s easy to insist that things aren’t really “that bad” and continue pushing forward. However, the longer the addiction goes untreated the worse it becomes. As alcohol and substance use gets worse, it becomes harder to deny or minimize its impact. Shame and guilt become even more pronounced but a fear of vulnerability can still keep men from admitting how bad the problem is. The emotional and psychological barriers to treatment are difficult and require a very patient and supportive environment to overcome.
Family Responsibilities
For many men, family responsibilities are another major obstacle to seeking addiction treatment. Men are still often the primary providers and protectors of their families. The sense of duty to and responsibility for their family causes serious pressure that is exacerbated by alcohol and substance abuse. They fear not being able to fulfill their role as their family’s financial support which can delay their seeking treatment.
Additionally, despite some prevalent stereotypes, family men are unwaveringly dedicated to their families. They love their spouses and support their children. They want to be present for and involved in activities, hobbies, and extracurriculars. They want their wives to know they care. A worsening alcohol or drug problem makes it harder to fulfill these obligations, though, and denying the problem only makes a man withdraw more.
Men fear that admitting to their struggles could impact how their family perceives them. Their spouse could see him as a weak man who cannot handle his problems. His children might think their dad cannot protect or show up for them. Adding extended family into the mix adds additional layers to the fear of family judgment. In some families, seeking treatment might be seen as abandoning their family responsibilities.
Financial and Logistical Barriers
Financial and logistical barriers are two more prevalent problems for men struggling to seek help for addiction. Inpatient and residential treatment programs are notoriously expensive with some costing upwards of $30,000 to $100,000 for a 30-day stay. These exorbitant costs deter the majority of men who need addiction treatment, especially those with families.
Although inpatient and residential programs are only one type of addiction treatment, treatment services are still costly. Insurance is helpful but not everyone has insurance coverage. Some men also cannot take the time off of work to attend an intensive addiction treatment program. Sometimes men are even at risk of losing their jobs if they have to take time off. They cannot sacrifice the pay cut or potential loss of employment that may come with taking time away from work, even if those treatment services will help in the long run.
Lack of Knowledge or Misconceptions About Treatment
One of the greatest barriers for men who struggle to seek help for addiction is a general lack of knowledge about addiction treatment. Most people have some idea about alcohol and substance abuse treatment services but are not as knowledgeable as they think. Many also have misconceptions about what treatment entails and these false ideas keep them from seeking help for much longer than necessary.
For example, people often think that the only useful addiction treatment approach is inpatient treatment. They believe they must go to a full-time program that removes them from their family, friends, work, and everyday environment to get sober. However, alternative approaches like intensive outpatient programs are often just as effective as residential programs. These misunderstandings are harmful and can be dangerous if they cause someone to delay seeking treatment.
How New Origins Helps Men Overcome These Barriers
New Origins is an outpatient treatment program for men struggling with addiction. We understand the unique challenges that men face when they realize they have a problem with alcohol or drugs. We also know that co-ed environments are not always the best option for men. Men benefit from finding help in an environment that surrounds them with a group of peers who understand exactly what they are going through.
New Origins provides tailored treatment services that offer men a safe, supportive environment to recover without judgment. Many treatment programs that help both men and women overlook the specific emotional and psychological needs of men seeking help for addiction. This highlights their initial hesitations when seeking treatment and leaves them feeling alienated in a space where they should feel heard, understood, and supported.
Gender-specific treatment services are an excellent choice for men who want to focus fully on their recovery. They foster a more supportive environment where men can be more vulnerable than they might otherwise be. Men can learn to access their shut-off emotions and carry these skills with them back to their families and friends.
The outpatient model also allows men to balance their responsibilities with their treatment program. They don’t need to take time off of work or miss important family events to get the help they need. Outpatient treatment programs like those at New Origins are highly flexible and willing to work with men to match their schedule so they can make it to the moments in life that matter most.
If you or a man you love are interested in treatment for addiction at New Origins, reach out to us today. Call us at 855-984-1788 or submit an online contact form to speak with an admissions specialist and determine whether New Origins is right for you.
