Traditionally, men have always taken the roles of the household head, protector, and family breadwinner. In addition to these responsibilities, they get many messages about being a man. Some of these messages require men to be hardworking, honest and respecting themselves and other people.
But, some of the messages that are delivered to young men and boys about traditional roles and masculinity are not positive. These are some of the things that set up the men’s generations to be at a higher risk for alcohol and drug addiction.
More Statistics and Facts
Men and women experience addiction to drugs and alcohol differently. That’s why some facilities offer men’s rehabilitation (check at https://addictionresource.com/drug-rehab/men-only/) while others cater to the addiction treatment needs of women. The rate of illicit drug use is higher for men than women. Men are likely to abuse prescription medication more than women.
The rates of illicit drugs or alcohol dependence and use are higher among men than women in most age brackets. More males are likely to enroll in substance abuse programs than females. What’s more, most research into the addiction treatment methods has targeted males to determine effectiveness.
Society Expects Men to Be Tough
Since the time a man is a small boy, he is exposed to the notion that he should be tough. Society makes him believe that this is something he should always try to achieve. Research has shown the unwillingness to seek help when experiencing problems is a common characteristic of men. That’s because society has always expected men to solve problems without assistance.
Men that keep going regardless of the odds they face without ever breaking down are seen as heroes. These are the mavericks and lone wolves. They are the heroes that people to go whenever they need solutions or answers to their problems. That’s because they have proven their ability to overcome challenges without help from other people.
As such, going to rehab for men can be seen as a weakness. When tough guys show emotions, they are expected to come out as frustration or anger. This tough guy culture makes many men avoid seeking help even when they need it.
It’s not surprising that when some men show emotions or express their need for help with issues like addiction people often joke about it sexually or crudely. This imagery means that a real man shouldn’t or can’t feel deeply about something or express feelings to other people.
Effects of the Tough Guy Culture on Young Boys
Since young boys are given traditional messages about masculinity, they are encouraged to be independent and strong. They are made to believe that the way to deal with something tragic or worrisome in life is by being stoic.
But, this message doesn’t show the emotions of young boys. It’s like they are not supposed to feel anything. As such, boys grow up knowing that they shouldn’t express their need for help even when they feel overwhelmed. Thus, some men don’t believe they should go to a men-only rehabilitation center even when it’s obvious that they need treatment for addiction.
How Traditional Masculinity Increases Addiction Risk
Having different kinds of feelings is perfectly normal. As such, this can create a problem for men and boys because they are brought up in a society that doesn’t expect them to show some feelings. Some boys grow up without role models to tell them it is their right to express and experience emotions openly.
This causes frustration when faced with feelings the society doesn’t expect them to express. Consequently, boys and men can turn to substance abuse as a way to deal with frustration and stress that comes with the emotions that society doesn’t expect them to express openly.
Society teaches men to be goal-oriented. Discussing abstract things like feelings is a distraction that men should avoid. When men that are at risk of addiction feel stressed because of unresolved emotions, they can engage in certain actions as a way to find a solution. This action can be taking drugs or drinking alcohol as an immediate way of feeling better. Thus, they are unlikely to call drug or alcohol rehab for men and request to speak to a counselor.
The Stress of Men Role Models and Substance Abuse
Research has shown that men that are highly committed to performing male roles experience more stress. That’s because they have a hard time performing the masculine gender roles. According to this research, alcohol dependence is more severe in these men. What’s more, men that have higher male role model stress experience higher drug abuse rates.
Experts in this research considered three triggers for substance abuse that men with high male role model stress are likely to be vulnerable to, including their confidence level. Common triggers include:
- Conflict
- Believing that a person can control substance use alone
- Physical discomfort
- Negative emotions
Society has embraced a culture that teaches men and boys to conform to the traditional masculinity idea. Essentially, society makes boys and men believe that expressing emotions and admitting that a person is uncertain in a situation is not manly. Seeking help or showing some feelings is considered a weakness. As such, men and boys should avoid this at all costs. Unfortunately, this creates stress which in turn, increases the risk for drug and alcohol abuse, as well as, addiction. Thus, men end up losing while trying to be the tough guys that society expects them to be.
The Bottom Line
Anybody can become an alcoholic or a drug addict regardless of their gender. However, society has embraced a tough guy culture that in a way sets men up for addiction. The fact that men are expected to be tough and never express emotions increases their risk for alcoholism and drug addiction. Nevertheless, men-only rehab programs are designed with knowledge of this culture. As such, they address alcoholism and drug addiction more effectively than mixed-gender treatment programs.