The age-old saying that many young men grew up hearing is that boys do not cry. You may even have been told that crying is a sign of weakness. Today, it is known that these statements are not true and that being vulnerable takes a lot of strength; however, if you are a man who grew up hearing those things, it can still be hard to accept that they are not true. Currently, there are many men out there that do not know how to ask for help, and you might be one of them. This can be detrimental if you are working through the recovery process.
Luckily, there are treatment centers out there, such as Healing Pines Recovery, that specialize in gender-specific care for men in recovery. It can sometimes be intimidating when you are thrown into groups with men and women. Feelings of toxic masculinity can peak at these times. While focusing on yourself is the goal of treatment, it can be hard to get out of your head and not think it is weak to cry in front of women. Here, we only have male patients. This provides a sense of comfort that you are not in this alone and promotes vulnerability with other men who may struggle with this as well.
What Is Toxic Masculinity and How Can You Combat It?
Toxic masculinity is defined as a set of attitudes and ways of behaving stereotypically associated with or expected of men. Examples of this include saying, “Boys don’t cry,” or stating that crying or asking for help is seen as being weak. Many men were taught these things growing up, and it has created a negative impact on men as a whole. This type of thinking can be damaging to you while in recovery because it can affect your ability to reach out for help for your mental health.
The first thing to understand in combatting this is that many men out there are going through similar things; you are not alone, especially when it comes to recovery.
Another thing to consider is how damaging it can be to your mind and body when you avoid seeking help. Active addiction can be a harrowing journey, even more so when you feel like you have to do it alone. Healing Pines Recovery is a treatment center that specializes in treating male patients and can provide a safe and comfortable place while you are working toward a better life. Being at a gender-specific treatment center allows you to connect with other men experiencing similar situations.
Learning to Be Vulnerable
Being vulnerable and open about your emotions is no easy task, but once you can push away any negative thought processes like those related to toxic masculinity, you can determine the difference between weakness, strength, and confidence, making it more achievable. Being vulnerable is not about just you either. It is a win-win situation because not only do you benefit from expressing deeper emotions, but it helps others too. When people see that you are being vulnerable, it gives them permission and the space to be vulnerable as well. So in helping yourself, you are also helping someone else who may have been reluctant to express their feelings.
Communication Is Key
At Healing Pines Recovery, we offer gender-specific treatment catered to men. Throughout treatment, you must communicate how you feel and what you think best benefits your recovery. With the many programs we have to offer in men’s inpatient rehab, we make it easy to feel at ease and allow you the space you need to openly express yourself. We believe exclusive space for men allows for stronger bonds to be formed with other healthy, sober men.
Communication is key when it comes to group sessions, as it can help uncover the many different approaches other men have taken with their recovery journey. Not only does it help to learn the many different ways to work through treatment, but it also allows you to hear from men at all different stages of their recovery. Communication can help you and our staff create a specific treatment program tailored to your unique needs.
Toxic masculinity can be dangerous in the world of recovery and treatment. It can not only stunt your recovery, but the recovery process of those around you as well. To get the most out of treatment, you have to reject some of the stereotypes that can come with being a man. This is easier said than done, but if you put the effort in, it will be more rewarding than you can imagine.
Learning to be vulnerable — especially about addiction and recovery — can seem like an impossible task that, at times, feel quite terrifying. The best thing to keep in mind is that crying and being open about your emotions are not signs of weakness but rather signs of strength. It shows you have the courage to discuss the difficult things in life openly and freely.
Anyone can ask for help, and this applies to men as well. As long as there’s a desire to better yourself and your life, there is no fear of being turned away. At Healing Pines Recovery, we specialize in gender-specific care catered to men in recovery.
If you or a male you know is seeking help on their recovery journey, do not hesitate to reach out to Healing Pines Recovery. Call us today at (720) 575-2621.
