Louisville, Kentucky Alcohol & Drug Rehab Center Men’s Program

Overview of Men and Addiction ​

Men and women often experience addiction differently, and it’s important to understand the unique challenges that men may face when it comes to substance use. Social expectations and cultural pressures can make it difficult for men to open up about their struggles. Many men feel the need to appear strong, in control, and unaffected by emotional pain, which can lead them to bottle up emotions and turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope.

Addiction in men is sometimes tied to issues like untreated mental health conditions, trauma, or high-stress environments. Men may be more likely to engage in risk-taking behavior or delay seeking help due to stigma or fear of judgment. At Impact Outpatient Program, we offer compassionate and individualized care that acknowledges the unique experiences men face in recovery. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where men can begin to heal, learn healthy coping skills, and build a foundation for lasting sobriety.

Are Men Affected Differently by Substance Abuse? ​

Research has shown that there are differences in how men and women get to the point of addiction. Findings show that men tend to have a longer period of misuse and abuse before they become addicted and physically dependent on drugs and alcohol.

Statistics show us that men are more likely to struggle with alcohol misuse and abuse, as well as marijuana abuse, when compared to women. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a study from 2011 showed that 42.3% of men reported that their primary drug of choice was alcohol, while women reported a 33.3% rate. For marijuana use, 19.9% of men identified this as their drug of choice, while 14.6% of women reported the same. These are not considered large or even statistically distinct differences; these two trends tend to be pretty consistent each year.

The CDC reports that men are twice as likely to binge drink compared to women. Binge drinking for men is consuming five or more drinks within two hours. The CDC found that on average, men who binge drink do so approximately five times per month, and have an average of 8 drinks per binge.

A study published in 2019 showed that men are almost as likely as women to struggle with both a substance abuse disorder and a serious mental illness. Since women are more likely to engage in addiction treatment, we can lead us to assume that more men are struggling with their mental health and addiction when compared to their counterparts without the benefits of getting treatment. This may be connected to the higher rate of ER visits and fatal overdoses among males. Men who engage in an inpatient addiction treatment program have a 10% higher risk of relapse compared to women who attend treatment programs.
Common factors contributing to relapses for men include stress and challenges, happy occasions, romantic relationships, and untreated mental health illnesses. In early recovery, the concern with romantic relationships is that relationships are time-consuming and can take attention away from recovery. If someone was using drugs or alcohol to manage an underlying mental health concern, they will need tools and skills to cope with the symptoms the drug was covering. This can be the beginning of a downward spiral without adequate treatment and support.

Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder are examples of some of the common mental health illnesses that co-occur with addiction. Symptoms for each of these disorders can be artificially masked by using drugs and alcohol. Men are over three times more likely to die by suicide when compared to women. More men drink alcohol before suicide than those who do not.

We know that alcohol impacts our judgment, and one of the concerns that arises with alcohol is violence. Excessive alcohol abuse and misuse are suspected of being key factors in physical violence and assault. Alcohol use is a risk factor for being a perpetrator of sexual violence.

Drinking alcohol is known to increase a person’s risk of developing several different forms of cancer, which makes it a preventable risk factor. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon, compared to women.

The Benefits of Going to a Men’s Drug Rehab Facility

Earlier, we mentioned that men are less likely to engage in addiction treatment programs than women. Knowing this, professionals have developed treatment programs for men that can better focus on their specific needs. In running a men’s treatment program, mental health therapists can have a stronger focus on gender-specific challenges than in a mix-gendered setting.

In a gender-specific setting, it’s possible to discuss any gender roles and expectations that have had a damaging effect on men’s health. An example of this can be expressing emotions and communicating concerns. A societal norm and generalization is that men don’t show emotions. Men’s specific treatment can offer opportunities for men to start expressing themselves and to see others doing the same.

Another benefit to a gender-specific setting would be normalizing the prevalence of mental health concerns and struggles among men. We know that 1 in 5 individuals struggle with a mental illness, 15.8% of whom are men. As discussed earlier, drinking and drug use can be a way to cope with an underlying mental health concern that is untreated. Being in a gender-specific setting, there is an opportunity to see that there are others with similar struggles, which may begin to normalize the presence of mental health illness among men. This can lead to a healthier acceptance of mental health struggles, which can, in turn, contribute to better care in managing mental illnesses.

Individuals who are in the beginning stages of an inpatient treatment program have the opportunity to see what others have gained from their time in treatment and work towards their own goals. Maybe you see someone who has improved their relationship with their partner, or with their children. Maybe someone who has built up their sober support network and has people to spend time with who are sober. Maybe it’s someone who has accepted their addiction and is comfortable living day by day, minute by minute.

Impact Outpatient Program is the Best Men’s Drug Rehab Facility in Kentucky

At IOP, we are able to cater addiction treatment to your specific needs. This begins with determining the level of care that would be the best fit for you at this moment. While we do not offer a gender-specific program, we do have material that we personalize for men. This allows us to address some of your specific concerns.

We offer a partial hospitalization program. With this option, you would be able to stay at home and come to the recovery center for 4 to 6 hours per day, 3 to 5 times per week.
We offer an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Similarly, to the partial hospitalization program, you are able to remain home and come to the treatment center during the day. Our IOP program is determined on a case-by-case basis, and typically includes 15-25 hours of group therapy and one hour of individual therapy.

Part of what makes our IOP program great is the convenience of having it located at the same treatment center as the other levels of care. Addiction treatment benefits from consistency and familiarity, which you will get at IOP.

The outpatient treatment usually involves group and individual therapy. We tailor your treatment schedule to your needs and your availability to get to treatment.

Lastly, we offer family therapy. This is such a vital and helpful program for the families of someone struggling with an addiction. There is no denying that addiction hurts more than the alcoholic or addict, and families deserve an opportunity to heal as well. With both parties in treatment, the chances of the family moving forward together and preventing a relapse increase greatly.

If you are worried about yourself or someone you love, we invite you to call IOP at (502) 443-9950. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and see where we can help you.