Addiction recovery is seldom easy. By definition, someone who has become an addict is no longer in control of their behavior. They may not want to admit this, but it’s a hallmark of what is happening to them.
Drug detoxification in Glendale is available if you live in the area and want to seek it out. However, before you start down this path, you might be wondering whether various factors are going to make your recovery easier or more difficult. For instance, does your gender play a role in whether you’re more likely to be successful in getting away from your addiction behavior?
It’s an interesting question, so let’s talk about it now.
Gender in Substance Use
First, let’s talk about gender in substance use. Men have a higher incidence of being diagnosed with substance use disorders. However, more women have been seeking treatment in recent decades than in the past.
There are differences in the substances men and women seem to favor as well. Men are more likely to need and seek treatment for overusing marijuana. More women seek treatment for alcohol.
Women seem to be more inclined to use drugs because of a partner’s use of that substance. Men who have been through the criminal justice system seem more likely to be referred for treatment.
Treatment-Related Gender Differences
It’s also noteworthy, though, that men are more inclined to seek treatment for drug and alcohol issues than women. The stigma associated with women seeking treatment is often cited as a potential reason for this.
While more men seem to seek treatment due to being incarcerated, more women seek treatment through healthcare providers or various community agencies. Women are also more likely to have co-dependent conditions, such as depression or anxiety.
Are Women or Men More Likely to Recover Through Treatment?
The question of whether men or women are more likely to recover if they seek treatment is somewhat more complex. Once women enter a program, they do not appear more likely than men to complete it. The outcome of the treatment, such as whether the individual returns to the problematic behavior or whether they seek treatment a second time, does not seem to have a significant split along gender lines.
However, there are some treatments that become available or that are offered that differ in terms of being gender specific. In other words, some treatment facilities report their clients finding more success if they are sequestered with others of their gender. On the other hand, some individuals seem to have a success or failure rate completely independent of whether they engage in treatment with others of their gender exclusively.
The bottom line seems to be that within each gender, there is an incredibly wide range of factors that impact whether a person seeks treatment, why they seek it, and what happens once they do. Since each individual is presumably dealing with a unique situation in this regard, trial and error is often necessary in determining the best treatment path.
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