What Drugs Are Men Most Commonly Addicted To?
- Written By: Michael Anderson, MA, LPC
- Medical Reviewer: Dr. Canfield MD
- December 14, 2023
Likewise, some groups – including men – are especially likely to misuse specific drugs or face certain obstacles. Understanding the unique realities men may face in regard to addiction can be a key part of providing true support during recovery. At Healing Pines Recovery, we’re committed to delivering premier men’s addiction treatment services that make a difference. To learn more about our Colorado men’s drug rehab and how it might work for you or a loved one, call us at (720) 706-7980 today.
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Substance Abuse Trends Among Men
While men and women are almost equally likely to develop addictions, men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 15.5% of men reported using any illicit drug in the past year compared to just 10.7% of women (2019). Not only are men more likely to use drugs, but they’re also more likely to end up in the emergency room or face a fatal overdose because of substance use. This may, in part, be due to the fact that men generally have higher rates of dependence on illicit drugs and alcohol than others; they’re more likely to face addiction in the long term, therefore increasing the risk of serious health consequences.
Which Drugs Are Men Addicted To Most Often?
We’ve established that men are more likely to use illicit drugs than women, but what kinds of substances are most commonly misused? Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that there are some drug types that men use more heavily and frequently than other groups. This information, combined with insights from the CDC, sheds valuable insight into how many men experience addiction:
- More men (13.9%) have used marijuana than women (9.2%) in the past year.
- While heroin use rates are similar between men and women, men are more likely to use larger amounts of heroin. They’re also more likely to inject the drug than women are.
- Men are almost twice as likely as women to engage in heavy alcohol use. In 2019, 7.5% of men engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past year, while only 4.2% of women did the same.
- Men are more likely than women to use tobacco of any kind, especially cigars.
So, while men and women may misuse the same substances, men are more likely to use marijuana and tobacco. Men are also likely to use heavy amounts of substances, particularly heroin and alcohol. This means that addictive behaviors can be harder for men to shake, especially given the fact that men engage in drug and alcohol rehab services less often than women do.
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Unique Addiction Challenges for Men
Differing substance use habits aren’t the only unique challenges men might face when seeking support, understanding, and treatment for their addictions. There are also social and cultural factors that shape how many men experience addiction. For instance, research indicates that men are more likely to struggle with long-term addiction – this is largely because men tend to go much longer than others before they seek professional help for their concerns.
Likewise, when men do ask for help, they often need a higher level of care than others. Once an addiction is established, men generally struggle with more substantial withdrawal symptoms, especially for alcohol addictions. Men are also more likely to use drugs or alcohol to fit into group settings, which can make seeking treatment feel like a choice between social status and personal health.
All of these factors mean that residential inpatient care is often a necessary first step for men. But transitioning to full-time care can be challenging, especially for men who aren’t comfortable opening up about their needs. To break down these barriers and encourage men to openly engage in treatment, it’s important to focus on their unique needs.
Why Seeking Addiction Treatment for Men is Essential
It’s clear that despite their tendency to use substances more heavily and regularly than women, men are less likely to speak up and ask for the help they deserve. Interestingly, men are actually more likely to receive support from their peers and communities when seeking support than women are. Many of the challenges and fears men face when seeking care come from internalized beliefs about weakness, lessened masculinity, and personal failure. The most effective addiction treatment for men focuses on these sorts of unique thought patterns and behavioral tendencies. Treatment that can identify and speak to the feelings and experiences men have is more likely to be engaging. Engaging treatment is successful treatment.
Men’s-Only Drug and Alcohol Rehab at Healing Pines Recovery
At Healing Pines Recovery, we proudly offer leading men’s addiction treatment services designed around the realities that our clients face. Our residential inpatient rehab program in Colorado focuses on helping clients by any means necessary. We never cut corners when it comes to your care; we’re committed to changing lives with our addiction treatment options. That’s why we rely on a combination of traditional, experiential, and holistic treatment methodologies to treat each client as a whole, complex person, not just someone with an addiction.
More Resources for Men Facing Addiction & Their Families
At Healing Pines, we recognize that a client’s journey toward recovery isn’t necessarily linear. Relapses can and likely will happen, and clients will face challenges outside of our facility that they may need to navigate independently. Resources like those below can help you stay on track with your recovery goals before or after treatment.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Learn more about addiction or contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for immediate support.
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Recovery Resources: A master list of recovery resources for those experiencing addiction and their families.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: A hub for research and information on drug use and addiction.
- Medline Plus: A health information resource hosted by the National Library of Medicine that offers comprehensive details on drug use, signs of addiction, and treatment options.
Get Started On the Road to Recovery at Healing Pines
While addiction can happen to anyone, it tends to affect certain groups differently than others, and men are no exception to this rule. Men are more likely to misuse substances in general. They’re also more likely to use large amounts of substances, struggle with certain withdrawals, and wait to seek the treatment they need. These factors, combined with social expectations and norms surrounding men’s mental health, motivate many men to suffer in silence. But you don’t have to face addiction on your own.
No matter how it may feel now, you’re not alone. Healing Pines Recovery is a men’s only drug and alcohol rehab center that’s focused on helping you make your goals a reality. We know that no two people experience addiction the same way. We’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your needs and helps you live the lifestyle you strive for. Call us at (720) 706-7980 today to learn more about our services, or contact us using our online form to start a conversation.
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