The Workings of Male Alcohol Abuse & Addiction
Although alcohol addiction strikes without regard to gender, men are disproportionately affected by alcohol substance use disorders, and may develop them more than their female counterparts. More than half the men polled for the NHS’ consumption survey drank more than 55 percent beyond the recommended allowance for drinking. Men may feel more anxiety about opening up about their feelings; this societal strain and expectation has prompted alcohol use disorders, resulting in men who do not have well developed communication skills.
Many men with untreated anxiety, depression, and emotional disorders attempt to find relief through over consumption of alcohol. Men are typically less likely to seek treatment than women. This is attributed to many environmental factors, but societal stigma regarding what is, and what is not, “manly” or “masculine” may have a role to play in the abnegation of treatment for such disorders.
In regards to male alcohol abuse, as compared to female consumption, men have the ability to consume more alcohol than their female peers, and may overestimate the amount of alcohol they may consume safely. With prolonged drinking one’s tolerance increases considerably and requires drinkers to consume larger quantities of alcohol to feel the effects of alcoholism.
Men are more likely to become physically and mentally dependent on alcohol. Many men do not seek alcohol treatment alcohol abuse they often downplay the signs of the chronic disease and disregard the budding symptoms of alcoholism. Because males are less likely to open up about their feelings, harboring depression and mood disorders becomes one of the main causes of alcohol addiction in men. Suppressing emotions often exacerbates substance use disorders.
Because many men do not participate in alcohol treatment for the underlying causes of addiction, untreated alcohol use disorders become more mentally and physically devastating. To avoid feelings of weakness, men will often avoid treatment as to appear strong in the face of the condition they refuse to acknowledge. In the long run this mentality often hurts the family, friends, and loved ones males are trying to protect.
Signs of Alcoholism in Males
Because the signs of alcoholism in males are similar to females suffering from alcohol addiction identifying the condition is not hard once the disease progresses. It’s critical to treat alcohol substance use disorders as soon as they manifest (even if a physical dependence to alcohol has not yet anchored itself). Eliminating alcohol use disorders early on decreases the chance of incurring permanent brain or physical damage. The following symptoms should be heeded and immediately treated in specialized male alcohol treatment programs:
- Profuse use of alcohol for stress relief
- Attempt to reduce drinking, but cannot
- Irritability without a drink
- Exceeding five drinks nightly
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Engaging in reckless behavior while drunk; DUI
- Only going to social gatherings where alcohol is obtainable
- Drinking alone
- Lying about how many drinks are consumed
- Hidden alcohol
- Chronic mood swings
Specialized Male Alcoholism Treatment
Male alcoholism treatment consists of alcohol detoxification, residential rehabilitation, and outpatient rehabilitation to redress the underlying causes of addiction. During alcohol treatment recovering addicts learn how to let go of their feelings of self loathing, resentment, anxiety, and depression. Treatment teaches men how to become communicators and open up about their feelings, as to circumvent relapse and continued addiction. Learning how to engage in other activities in times of stress is a core component of treatment.
Many men choose to pick up a sport or engage in hobbies they’ve always wanted to. Many derive strength from family therapy, which allows recovering drinkers to communicate with their friends and family with the presence of an addiction counselor, who can effectively mediate therapy sessions. During family therapy, an addiction counselor helps family members and friends understand the particulars of alcohol addiction, and help recovering drinkers communicate the things which have allowed an alcohol use disorder to progressively develop. There are many forms of specialized alcohol addiction treatment including treatment for women and seniors and older adults alcoholism treatment.
Male Alcoholism Effects
Leaving alcohol abuse untreated give rise to a slew of permanent medical complications, which will continue to plague drinkers long after receiving treatment, if it doesn’t kill them first. Alcohol is the third leading cause of death in the United States. To avoid the following potentially fatal detriments of continued alcohol abuse and addiction, get treatment from Harbor Village today:
- Seizures
- Delirium Tremens
- Chronic Liver Diseases
- Heart Failure
- Development of Cancers (stomach, rectal, throat, etc.)
- Memory Loss; Inability to Create New Memories
- Psychosis
- Inability to Keep a Job
- Divorce