Rehab Centers That Offer Men’s Only Programs

Any individual is capable of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) which is why access to proper treatment is so vital. There are many general treatment programs that can be effective for a wide range of people; however, specialized programs may be more suitable for certain individuals.

Specialized programs are substance abuse treatment programs developed for specific groups of people. For example, there are gender-specific rehab programs, men’s programs, and women’s programs. These types of programs can be incredibly beneficial as they offer treatment that caters to the genders’ needs and creates an environment where certain individuals may feel more supported or safer.

Keep reading to learn more about men’s only rehab programs including key components, benefits, and how to find the right treatment facility for you.

Men’s only rehab programs are specially designed to treat men with SUDs by addressing their unique challenges and needs related to addiction.

Outside of gender-specific treatment centers are co-ed rehab facilities. These programs allow people of any gender identity and typically separate living arrangements based on gender but offer interaction between genders in shared environments. As mentioned previously, only men are allowed to enroll in a men’s only treatment program.

Substance addiction can affect the genders differently, which is why some people feel more comfortable in gender-specific treatment programs.

Here are a few unique challenges men face in addiction recovery:

• Higher likelihood of using almost all illicit drugs and alcohol compared to women
• Illicit drug use is more likely to lead to overdose or emergency room visits in men compared to women
• Many men need more time to open up during treatment compared to women
• Men tend to worry more about being judged or viewed as weak for seeking treatment
• More likely to experience intense alcohol withdrawal symptoms
• More likely to be mandated by their employer to get treatment compared to women

Several issues may be addressed during a men’s only treatment program, depending on individual needs. They include substance abuse and addiction, mental health conditions, behavioral problems, and sex addiction.

The main issue addressed in men’s only rehab is substance abuse/addiction, of course. Most rehab programs offer treatment for a variety of addictions, though you may want to double-check what types of addiction each facility offers treatment for.

Men’s only treatment programs typically offer treatment for alcohol, opioid, prescription drug, meth, heroin, and cocaine addictions. Programs can vary in length and may be offered as an inpatient or outpatient treatment, depending on your needs.

Inpatient programs offer the highest level of care with round-the-clock supervision. Inpatient treatment requires participants to live in a treatment facility for the length of their program, which may not be possible for everyone. On the other hand, outpatient programs are held in treatment centers where participants travel on a regular basis to receive treatment.

In addition to addiction treatment, many men’s only rehab programs offer treatment for mental health issues or dual diagnosis.

Mental health problems commonly occur alongside substance abuse and can be the root cause of an SUD or be exacerbated by addiction. These are called co-occurring disorders. Common co-occurring disorders include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder.

Many men’s treatment programs offer dual diagnosis treatment. This treatment type addresses mental and physical health simultaneously to offer a more well-rounded, comprehensive treatment plan. In other words, dual diagnosis works to treat addiction and other mental illnesses simultaneously.

Many men who have a substance addiction also struggle with behavioral problems such as aggression or anger management issues.

That being said, it’s not uncommon for men’s addiction rehabs to offer treatment services related to behavioral problems.

Common modalities are support groups, behavioral therapy, or even educational courses. All of these treatment options have the potential to help men manage their behavioral problems and change poor behavior patterns related to their addiction.

Another condition that can occur alongside drug dependence in men is sex addiction. This can be for a few reasons.

Illicit drugs and alcohol tend to lower inhibitions and impair people’s decision-making skills, which can lead to engaging in risky or uncharacteristic behavior. Additionally, some people may try to cope with their SUD through sex. In other people, changes in brain chemistry caused by long-term substance abuse can make it easier to develop a sex addiction.

As a result, some men’s treatment programs offer treatment for sex addiction alongside drug and alcohol addiction treatment. This is not offered as widely as other treatments, so you’ll want to make sure the facility you choose offers sex addiction treatment if that is what you are seeking.

There are several key components you may encounter in a men’s only treatment program including individual therapy and counseling, group therapy and peer support, physical fitness and wellness programs, and life skills training and vocational support.

Some of the most common treatments in addiction recovery are therapy and counseling. Both are a great opportunity to work through the mental obstacles or challenges an individual faces in relation to their SUD.

Most treatment centers offer therapy and counseling in one-on-one settings. Individual services are great for opening up in a safe space and working through one’s unique challenges.

Counseling typically occurs between an individual and a counselor or addiction specialist. It is an opportunity to discuss goals, fears, achievements, and thoughts about substance abuse and recovery.

On the other hand, therapy occurs between an individual and a therapist. While similar to counseling in that individuals can share any thoughts or emotions they have about their recovery, therapy focuses more on reframing one’s perspective, learning healthy coping skills, and changing harmful behavioral or thought patterns.

In addition to individual therapy, most men’s treatment centers offer group therapy and peer support.

Group therapy is similar to individual therapy but occurs in a group of individuals in the treatment program. Group therapy can help people connect with others and feel less alone in their journey.

Peer support can come in many forms but often comes from support groups. Support groups in men’s rehab programs are particularly important. Many men feel shame surrounding their addiction and may not talk about the challenges of it with anyone. However, with peer support, they may feel encouraged to open up. Additionally, it can provide a sense of camaraderie and be an opportunity for participants to build a support system.

Some men’s treatment programs also offer physical fitness services and wellness programs. Physical health is a huge part of recovery, and building healthy habits and new routines can improve the success of a treatment program and encourage long-lasting sobriety.

Some treatment centers offer exercise facilities, workout classes, or other group fitness activities. On the other hand, some rehab facilities offer wellness programs via nutrition classes, education about sleep hygiene, and more.

Life after recovery is another challenge many men with SUDs face. That being said, it’s common for treatment programs to offer life skills training and vocational support.

This will look different for every rehab facility, but some offer training in areas like relapse prevention or building healthy habits.

Additionally, many men’s treatment programs offer vocational support to set participants up for success in finding a job post-rehab. This can include offerings like interviewing practice, building a resume, and more.

There are countless benefits of gender-specific treatment for men. First, let’s take a look at the benefits of addiction treatment in general.

Benefits of addiction rehab include:

• Improved physical health
• Improved mental health
• Reduced risk of overdose
• Reduced risk of death due to substance abuse
• Improved relationships
• Improved career/academic life
• New friendships
• New, healthy hobbies

The above benefits all apply to gender-specific treatment programs, but let’s explore the benefits unique to men’s only rehab programs.

Gender-specific treatment for men offers the benefit of addressing male-specific issues such as stigmas associated with men and addiction, and co-occurring disorders that are seen more frequently in men.

Going along with this is the benefit of a safe and supportive environment. Some men may not feel comfortable opening up in a co-ed environment for one reason or another. As a result, men’s only centers can provide a sense of security that other facilities can’t offer.

Another big benefit is enhanced camaraderie and peer support. Receiving treatment alongside your peers can be a great reminder that you’re not alone and allow you to lean on others during a difficult time. In men’s only treatment programs, this can be enhanced as people of the same gender may be able to bond more easily.

Finally, gender-specific treatment for men can result in higher rates of engagement and retention in treatment. In an all-male setting, some men are more likely to engage in group conversation and see greater efficacy from treatment. They may feel more understood when surrounded by other men compared to co-ed environments.

There are several therapies and treatment methods commonly used in men’s treatment centers as they are associated with higher rates of efficacy in men.

CBT is a popular form of psychotherapy that focuses on changing thinking patterns and behavioral habits that exacerbate psychological problems. CBT is commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and addiction.

The idea is to help the individual learn coping skills and mechanisms that help them challenge their thoughts and behaviors.

DBT is another form of psychotherapy based on CBT that is designed for people who experience emotions very intensely. It is often used to treat PTSD, borderline personality disorder (BPD), addiction, depression, and anxiety.

In comparison to CBT, DBT is more focused on self-acceptance, feeling safe, and developing emotional regulation techniques.

Trauma-focused therapy is another common type of therapy used to treat addiction and co-occurring mental conditions.

Trauma-focused therapy can include techniques like CBT, DBT, exposure therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Each type of therapy has different benefits, so you and your healthcare provider can determine which type will be most beneficial for you based on your needs.

Lastly, some men’s rehab centers offer holistic therapies. Holistic therapies are types of therapy that use non-traditional methods to promote treatment and healing.

Some common types of holistic therapies offered in addiction treatment include animal-assisted therapy, music therapy, art therapy, yoga, acupuncture, aroma therapy, meditation, and breathwork.

When used in combination with traditional and evidence-based treatment methods, holistic therapies can be very effective and healing for men with SUDs.

There is a lot of stigma surrounding substance addiction in general, but it tends to be even worse surrounding substance addiction in men.

Men are often expected to “tough it out” or not be “weak” enough to let an addiction get to them. These are sexist generalizations projected onto men by society that can discourage people from getting the help and treatment they need.

Societal pressures and stereotypes can prevent men not only from seeking help but also from opening up about their substance abuse issues.

As a result, it can be essential for a man’s friends or family to intervene when they suspect substance addiction. This can include holding an intervention to encourage the individual to seek medical evaluation and treatment. It can be helpful to remind them they don’t have to go through this on their own or conform to societal expectations.

Once you’ve decided to enroll in a men’s only rehab program, you’ll have to choose a care facility. There are plenty of addiction treatment centers out there, which can be overwhelming for some people. Here are a few tips for choosing a facility that is right for you.

First and foremost, ensure that the recovery center you choose is accredited and has experienced staff. Looking out for Joint Commission accreditation and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation can be a great starting point. Also, make sure the staff has appropriate licenses and certifications to treat addiction.

Another good way to evaluate a rehab center is to look for client reviews and testimonials. These can both help you gauge what the client experience is like.

Finally, there are a few questions you may want to ask before choosing a facility:

• Do you offer gender-specific treatment?
• What treatment services do you offer to address men’s needs?
• Is your program inpatient or outpatient?
• What amenities do you offer?
• How will my treatment program be developed?
• Do you allow pets?
• Do you offer payment plans/scholarships?
• What do your housing arrangements look like? Will I be sharing a room?
• What aftercare support do you offer?
• How long is your treatment program?
• What are your visitor restrictions?
• What certifications and licenses do your staff have?
• What is the cost of your treatment program?

After completing a men’s treatment program, it’s important to participate in aftercare or continuing care. Aftercare refers to treatment services and techniques that are continued after finishing a rehab program.

Continuing care is intended to ease the transition between rehab and one’s day-to-day routine as triggers and stressors are inevitable and can tempt relapse. Aftercare services are unique to the individual but can include regular therapy sessions, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), moving into sober housing, or joining a 12-step group.

Going hand-in-hand with continuing care is building a support network and a healthy lifestyle. Some of the best ways to prevent relapse are to have a good support system and a healthy routine. Support systems can be made of friends, family, peers, or anyone you feel comfortable confiding in. It’s important to surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable and support your journey.

Having a regular, healthy routine can also be very helpful. This includes healthy eating, exercising regularly, getting good sleep, and engaging in hobbies that bring you joy or peace.

Men’s only treatment programs are specifically designed to address the needs of men in addiction recovery and offer countless benefits. Men face different challenges than women when it comes to SUD, so it’s important for individuals to find a treatment environment in which they feel supported.

If you or a loved one is ready to take the first step toward recovery, don’t hesitate to call our helpline today.