Men and Women Experience Addiction Differently
Men and women are scientifically found, generally speaking, to have different experiences with addiction. These differences are discovered both in the causes of addiction and the way that addiction presents in the lives of men and women. These differences have been found to influence both the ability to maintain continuous sobriety and the quality of care received in treatment facilities. Understanding how these differences correlate to mainstream gender roles in Western culture can increase potential for recovery success.
Gender roles, although generalizations, can bolster a recovery foundation that increases odds of continuous sobriety. Women are found to engage addiction as a coping mechanism for trauma whereas men become addicted through peer pressure and the pursuit of power. Working with these basic themes can aid in cultivating healthy relationships with the self. Those working with women may support them in establishing alternative coping mechanisms and encourage them to pursue trauma treatment. With men, fostering an internal sense of approval will support them in resisting pursuits of peer approval or unhealthy power dynamics.
While these basic gender differences occur, be mindful to recognize that these two basic themes can be interchanged. Misuse of power in men may be later processed as a trauma healing process; untreated trauma may make women susceptible to entering codependent relationships as another form of peer pressure.
Once awareness of gender roles has entered the recovery process, a solid foundation for a deeper self awareness can begin. This can be either in alignment to or opposition to these gender roles. Actions exploring these typical ways of being can become a playground for recreating the life of the addict. In other cases, playing with discovery outside of these generalization can be wonderful method to healing codependency. Awareness of either journey is an avenue for actualizing a life that is happy, joyous and free.
If you are struggling with addiction, alcoholism, and/or mental health, know that there is hope. There is a solution. Harmoniously fusing together the best elements of clinical care, holistic healing, and 12-step philosophy, Enlightened Solutions has created a program of total transformation for men and women seeking recovery. Call 833-801-5483 today for information on our partial care programs in New Jersey.
