In the United States, the opioid crisis has become increasingly severe, especially since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid deaths increased from about 70,000 in 2020 to nearly 81,000 in 2021. This has led professionals to examine opioid use — and drug addiction in general — in America with renewed vigor, and research has made it clear that numerous groups are vulnerable, from children to the elderly and beyond.
One concerning trend this research has unveiled is that the relationship between men and addiction is complicated and often fatal. Examining this relationship could lead to the development of better treatment and, eventually, better outcomes for men experiencing addiction.
Exploring men’s experiences with addiction
To help understand just how drastically different the relationship men and women have with addiction is, it’s useful to look at statistics. Many different studies over the years have shown that men use illicit drugs at higher rates than women, especially when it comes to alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drug misuse.
New data takes these findings further, suggesting that men disproportionately perish from drug overdoses, even when accounting for the discrepancy in rates of use. When considering all drug categories between 2020 and 2021, men died of overdose at a rate 2 to 3 times greater than that of women.
Recent opioid addiction statistics show that men have much higher rates of lifetime opioid use than women do. The study showed an increase in mortality rates among men who use synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, between March 2018 and March 2021 for ages ranging from 15 to 74 years old.
The study showed that the male to female ratio of overdose mortality at a national level was 37.4 in males and 13.9 in females, both out of 100,000. While the number of overdoses in both men and women is beyond concerning and demands appropriate action, it can’t be denied that there’s a disparity among fatality rates. Learning more about what causes this gap could lead to better outcomes in treatment and the development of targeted treatments based on an individual's needs and risks.
What causes opioid addiction in men?
For people of all genders, there are many routes to opioid misuse, and there are numerous risk factors along the way that predispose one person or another to addiction. For example, opioids are misused in rural communities at ever increasing rates, and between 25 and 50% of unhoused people experience a substance use disorder concurrently with houselessness. While everyone’s story is different, one of the most common routes to an opioid use disorder starts with prescription opioids given during treatment for medical conditions such as post-op, musculoskeletal, or even dental procedures. It’s not uncommon for someone to develop a physical dependence to opioids during the course of a treatment, such as when recovering from surgery or a major injury.
Once physical dependence occurs in men, it can easily turn into a full blown addiction, and the causes of this are as much social as they are biological. Many men grow up hearing narratives that define masculinity by an individual’s ability to deal with pain, never display weakness, and avoid showing emotion. This leads boys and young men to believe that emotions, grieving, and seeking help are socially unacceptable or signs of a weakness or flaw. In these cases, many men may turn to substance use to help process their feelings or even suppress them. This self-medication can foster a detrimental relationship between men and addiction.
Self-medication is especially prominent in men who experience great stress or trauma. It’s well known that individuals experiencing PTSD develop substance abuse issues at higher rates than average, and men may be less likely to seek help. This is especially true to men who are veterans or active duty military members. Likewise, untreated mental health issues can increase the likelihood that an individual develops OUD or another substance use disorder.
Most effective treatment for men experiencing opioid addiction
When dealing with substance use disorders, it’s crucial to find an appropriate treatment style for an individual’s needs that can address the addiction, the risk factors, and the underlying causes or triggers simultaneously. Data show that one of the most common risk factors for men experiencing opioid use disorder is another distinct substance use disorder. The use of multiple drugs concomitantly is known as polysubstance use, and without proper treatment for all substance use disorders, men are more likely to return to substance use.
Because so many of the factors that link men and addiction are social and societal, it’s also important for men to seek therapy during OUD treatment. Psychiatric treatment is not a strict requirement for successful recovery from opioid addiction, but it is proven to help achieve successful long-term results, and it’s particularly important for men who are experiencing or have experienced great stress, grief, or trauma.
How Ophelia Can Help
Unfortunately, it’s common for men to shy away from treatment, expressing discomfort with talking to medical and psychiatric professionals about sensitive topics. In these cases, patients can try telehealth solutions to help break down barriers and lead successful therapy sessions, especially for patients who are more comfortable sharing personal details when not in an in-person, face-to-face situation.
At Ophelia, we strive to provide customized, safe, and comfortable treatment for all patients. Our team is composed of clinicians, care coordination specialists, and enrollment experts — all who work together to produce the most detailed treatment plan for each patient. Find out if you’re a candidate today.
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