Men and Women Recover Differently from Addiction

Various research findings show that men and women recover from drug addiction and alcohol addiction differently. Therefore, it may help to keep drug and alcohol recovery separate for women and men so that equal attention can be given to each. At many drug and alcohol recovery centers, the issue of gender is often overlooked as a sort of misnomer with the majority of facilities treating the 'majority' versus the individual. At Mark Houston Recovery, we know and understand that you cannot simply treat drug and alcohol recovery via the masses. Rather, you have to take each individual and sit down with them in order to come up with an effective combination of techniques to help recovering addicts (whether they are men or women) realize their dream of sobriety.

Each Person is Different

The great thing about human beings is that each one of us is different. That being said, gender specific drug and alcohol rehab is an invaluable tool for providing individuals of the same gender an opportunity to bond and help each other heal more quickly. Having a gender specific also affords the drug and alcohol recovery center to focus its daily activities around things that may appeal to one gender and not the other. For example, a women’s drug and alcohol recovery program might incorporate knitting into their daily schedule while a men’s recovery center may incorporate rock climbing into its daily schedule of activities.

Drug Addiction, Alcohol Addiction and Gender

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Data from laboratory, field and clinical research is beginning to show gender differences in biological factors in drug abuse, the progression and initiation of drug abuse, the antecedents and consequences of drug use and abuse, and prevention and treatment.”

No matter what gender you are, drug and alcohol addiction damages your sense of self. A man who is abusive to his wife due to the fact that he is always high and drunk isn't that much different from the woman who consumes too much alcohol and kills five people with her SUV. And while gender specific programs have proven to be extremely effective, there are still many out there who shy away from them. One thing is for certain though; a woman who has been abused by a man will probably feel more comfortable discussing her issues surrounded by a group of women versus a group that is dominated by men. Similarly, there may be men out there who will feel more comfortable discussing their issues while surrounded by people of their gender.

At Mark Houston Recovery, we understand how important it is to have gender specific programs. This is why we currently offer drug and alcohol rehab for males only. Having gender specific programs allows us to be able to plan out or daily activities, schedules and continuum of care for each resident so that they may realize a life characterized by sobriety. For more information on drug and alcohol recovery, contact Mark Houston Recovery at 1.866.877.6080 today.