While 2018 NSDUH data shows that 21.2 million over-12s in the United States required substance use treatment, only 11 percent received treatment at a drug and alcohol rehab center.
One of the many reasons preventing men from engaging in addiction treatment is the stigma surrounding recovery. We hope today’s snapshot helps strip away some of the misinformation and flawed thinking surrounding what it means to engage with treatment for substance abuse.
Four Myths Surrounding Men and Recovery
- You have a good job, a loving family, and a place to live — you can’t be addicted
- All men should be able to control their emotions and their behavior
- A real man doesn’t need external help to solve his problems
- It’s impossible for men to lead fruitful and enjoyable sober lives
Myth 1: You have a good job, a loving family, and a place to live — you can’t be addicted.
Many people, especially those with no experience of substance use, hold a stereotypical image of an addict in mind: a bum with a crack pipe, a tweaker with meth mouth, or a homeless heroin addict.
From the functional alcoholic to the movie star publicly abusing cocaine yet still pulling in millions per movie, addiction doesn’t discriminate.
Unfortunately, many men who are able to hold down a job, home, and family meet with a degree of skepticism and a lack of support when they suggest they need treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction. If you find loved ones attempting to convince you that you don’t need professional intervention, focus on pursuing the course of treatment you need regardless.
Myth 2: All men should be able to control their emotions and their behavior.
Over the generations, everyone has expected men to remain in control of their emotions. Historically, men have not widely opened up about their feelings to loved ones. The masculine stereotype keeps a stiff upper lip and his emotions tight to his chest.
Although attitudes and gender roles continue to shift and those views are fading, the idea persists that a real man shouldn’t allow himself to be controlled by his emotions, and he certainly shouldn’t submit to using a substance even when it’s producing adverse outcomes.
Persistent and sustained substance use brings about changes to brain structure and function, resulting in behaviors that are almost involuntary. If you’re a man with an addiction to drink or drugs, using the substance in question doesn’t make you less of a man.
Sometimes, admitting that you are not in control is by far the braver and manlier thing to do than continuing to mine the same seam of drug abuse or alcohol abuse until you spiral out of control completely.
Myth 3: A real man doesn’t need external help to solve his problems.
For anyone grappling with an addiction to drink or drugs — especially when the addiction is severe — attempting to detox, withdraw, and kickstart your recovery unaided can be demanding. In many cases, it’s inadvisable and potentially even dangerous.
If you’re a man with alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder, reframe engaging with addiction treatment. Instead of viewing this request for external assistance as a badge of weakness, consider it a sign and declaration of strength. With the right help and support in your corner, you can navigate the challenging road to recovery as smoothly as possible.
Myth 4: It’s impossible for men to lead fruitful and enjoyable sober lives.
Perhaps you’ve admitted to yourself that your intake of alcohol, prescription medication, or illicit drugs has reached the stage where you need treatment. Maybe you feel confident of committing to inpatient or outpatient treatment, but you’re beset by a strong and nagging doubt. You start wondering if it’s possible for anyone to truly enjoy themselves without resorting to recreational substance use.
If you find yourself caught in this cycle of self-defeating thoughts, list the ten most successful people you know personally. Then, think of ten famous people you consider who embody success. With that list in place, ask yourself how many of those people have an active and untreated addiction.
For most people, a Hollywood movie star lives a dream lifestyle. In the LA of the 2020s, even hellraisers like Robert Downey Jr are deep into sustained recovery. Many others, from Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper to Ben Affleck and Daniel Radcliffe, are vocal proponents of addiction recovery and sobriety.
Closing Thoughts
We’re lucky in 2021 that the most enduring myth of all surrounding substance abuse is history, namely the concept of addiction as a moral failing or a lack of willpower. Addiction may be a chronic and relapsing disease with no cure, but it’s eminently treatable. Don’t let the perceived prejudices of others prevent you from reaching out for the help you need.
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This post is republished on Medium.
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