Addicion doesn’t discriminate. Although certain circumstances can increase your chances of developing a substance use disorder, such as having a family history of addiction or experiencing trauma, it can happen to anyone. Major life changes, recreational drug use, and negative emotions may lead to substance abuse problems. Unfortunately, even though drugs and alcohol create temporary euphoria, addiction changes your brain chemistry and can aggravate underlying medical and mental health conditions. If you’re a man struggling with addiction, a men’s addiction treatment center can help you overcome addiction for good.
All psychoactive substances have the potential for abuse. Even legal substances, like alcohol, can cause physical dependence. Once you are physically and/or psychologically dependent on drugs and alcohol, it takes time to recover fully. Men’s addiction treatment centers specialize in helping you overcome addiction. They provide you with the support, understanding, and guidance you need in order to recover successfully.
Men and Addiction
Men are more likely than women to develop a substance abuse problem. In fact, nearly twice as many men attend substance abuse treatment programs than women. Men, however, find it more difficult to express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions in therapeutic environments. Men are more likely to abuse and use drugs to celebrate or to enhance positive emotions. Drug and alcohol use is more socially acceptable among men, especially in certain environments like:
- College parties
- Networking events
- Sports events
- Concerts
- Weddings and bachelor parties
A men’s addiction treatment program commonly sees the impact that addiction causes. Addiction changes your brain chemistry, specifically by creating neurotransmitter imbalances and reconditioning your brain’s pleasure and reward center. Drugs and alcohol force your brain to release more neurotransmitters than it should. Neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and serotonin create the euphoric feelings and emotions associated with intoxication. Unfortunately, when the effects of your substance of choice end, you are left with depletion of neurotransmitters.
Because your brain associates drugs and alcohol with pleasure, it rewards your drug use and punishes abstinence. When you use drugs and alcohol, your brain rewards you with a rush of neurotransmitters. When you don’t use, your brain restricts the release of neurotransmitters, which causes intense cravings and depressed moods. You can have cravings whenever you are exposed to triggers, which can be people, places, or things that your brain associates with your substance of choice.
Men’s Addiction Treatment Centers
Men’s rehab centers focus on utilizing evidence-based and holistic treatments. Evidence-based treatments are therapies that have been proven to be effective in past patients following extensive research and studies.
Some of the most common evidence-based treatments used by men’s addiction treatment centers include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Individual Counseling Therapy Program
- Acceptance therapy
- Medication management and medication-assisted therapy
- Group Therapy Program
- Family Therapy Program
- Experiential therapy
Holistic treatments focus on treating your body, mind, and spirit and can be used in combination with evidence-based treatments. Some examples of holistic treatments are:
- Yoga Therapy Program
- Pilates
- Dance movement therapy
- Meditation Mindfulness for Addiction Recovery
- Dietary changes
- Nature and animal therapy
Men’s addiction treatment centers also work to develop an individualized discharge and aftercare plan to ensure you are connected with additional support systems following treatment. Outpatient programs often provide step-down following inpatient treatment. Another useful aftercare resource is community-based peer support groups like AA, NA, and SMART Recovery.
Finding Help Today
If you are trapped in addiction, you may feel your life has spiraled out of control. Addiction can cause you to lose jobs, suffer medical and mental health problems, and spend excessively on drugs and alcohol. Men’s addiction treatment centers understand what it takes to recover. Reach out to Promises Behavioral Health today at 844.875.5609 to find out more about your treatment options.