Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month: Shining the Spotlight on Men and Substance Abuse

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is here and it’s a great opportunity to revisit the differences between men’s and women’s mental health and shine a light on mental disorders in male-identified individuals — and substance abuse in particular.

In the United States, 9% of men report daily feelings of anxiety or depression, according to the National Health Interview Survey. And yet, notes the survey, nearly 41% will never receive any help, either in the form of medication or treatment with a qualified mental health professional.

Women have higher rates (or at least, higher reported rates) of nearly all mental disorders. However, substance abuse, and substance abuse-related problems, tend to fall more heavily on the male population. Research shows that men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs and that they have higher rates of alcohol abuse. Taking the gender factor for alcohol abuse into account also shows a higher propensity among men to drink more frequently, and to consume more alcohol when they drink.

Supporting male-identified individuals with substance abuse starts with gaining a better understanding of these gender differences. Here’s where to start.

Men and Substance Abuse: Providing Better Mental Health Support for Men

Why do men have higher rates of substance abuse than women? As it turns out, gender differences in substance use disorders have a lot less to do with innate gender specifics and more to do with differences in opportunity. Historically, men are more likely to be presented with an opportunity to use illicit drugs, though both genders share an equal propensity for transitioning into regular drug use after that first introduction. As for gender itself, research suggests that variations in brain chemistry and hormones may also contribute to differences in drug abuse among men and women.

What matters even more than propensity for addiction though is access to treatment. The male mental health stigma can often lead to individuals not getting the help that they need, or waiting to get help until an addiction has left more damage in its wake. We encourage anyone, male or female, to seek the help they need. First steps may include calling the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) free national hotline at 1-800-662-4357, or contacting our team here at Retreat Behavioral Health to learn about our inpatient and outpatient treatment options.

Men and Drug Addiction: How to Help a Loved One With a Substance Abuse Problem

Anyone can face a substance abuse problem, regardless if they are male, female, or non-gender-identifying. If you have a loved one suffering from addiction, the best way to offer your support is to help them get the treatment that they need. There are a few ways to do this.

1. Try to convince your loved one to seek help. Bring up the subject of having your loved one schedule an appointment with a mental health professional or other type of care professional who can start to facilitate a treatment plan.

2. Make the information available. Do research on your own and present your loved one with the contact information for a specific care professional. This may help remove some of the hurdles that keep men and others with addiction from seeking treatment.

3. Be open minded and reserve judgement. Treatment and recovery are always possible, but taking that first step can be an isolating and scary experience. Be there for your loved one, providing not just active support but a judgment-free environment where they can freely talk about their addiction and their barriers to recovery.

Gender differences in substance abuse shouldn’t include treatment rates. Support the men in your life, especially those with mental health disorders, and have compassion and understanding when and where it counts the most.