examples of the barriers men face when seeking treatment

For example, they may be afraid to tell their boss for fear of a negative reaction, and they think they can’t miss work or afford treatment in the first place. Decades of research supports common themes for avoiding treatment: cost, denial, stigma, work and lack of awareness or knowledge.

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What are the four most common barriers to seeking mental health treatment?

Feb 27, 2020 · For example, they may be afraid to tell their boss for fear of a negative reaction, and they think they can’t miss work or afford treatment in the first place. Decades of research supports common themes for avoiding treatment: cost, denial, stigma, work and lack of awareness or knowledge.

What are the barriers to recovery for men in addiction?

Jun 06, 2019 · The following are some facts about men-specific issues when it comes to addiction recovery, and these can translate into problematic encounters in treatment as well: Men have higher rates of dependence on illicit drugs; Men are more likely to go to emergency rooms or experience overdose deaths from illicit drugs compared to women

What barriers do some clients face in substance abuse treatment?

For example, concerns about working to provide financial support for children may prevent some men from seeking treatment in a timely manner, particularly if treatment requires absence from work. Similarly, internal or external pressure to return to work as soon as possible so that they can provide for their children may cause some men to leave treatment prematurely.

What are the financial barriers to getting treatment?

Another significant barrier for men in recovery is undiagnosed psychiatric disorders. More than half of individuals struggling with substance abuse also suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder. Untreated depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and …

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Why do men stop seeking treatment?

Men may tell themselves for months, even years, that they are in control of their drinking or drug use. They may think they can cut down on their alcohol or drug consumption whenever they like. In fact, they might even do so for a few weeks. However, many commonly abused substances are highly addictive and the DIY approach to abuse and addiction invariably fails without professional assistance.

Why don't men ask for help?

To ask for help is to admit that there is a problem, a serious problem. Traditionally, men may feel that an inability to cope with a problem on their own is a sign of weakness, and this unfortunate notion has underscored a stigma of treatment for men. The aversion of perceived weakness is powerful. In fact, women are more likely to be referred to addiction treatment through their mental health therapist or counselor; men, however, are more likely to be forced to accept substance abuse treatment by the criminal justice system.

Why do men take time off from work?

Traditional gender roles regarding work also impact men’s decision to forgo or put off treatment. Traditionally, men have been the primary breadwinners for their families, and while that has changed dramatically in the past several decades, many men are still loathe to take time away from their careers to seek professional treatment. They may worry that their employer will look differently at them —possibly even overlook them when it comes to promotion. Many men feel that taking time away from work is risking their livelihood, which is a decided barrier to treatment. Unfortunately, continuing to abuse drugs or alcohol is also a risk to not just their jobs—but their health as well.

Why do women seek help from mental health providers?

Women are more inclined to seek out help from a mental healthcare provider like FHE Health because it tends to bother them less to talk about their problems; many innately understand that talking about their problems makes them feel better. It may take men a bit longer to feel comfortable talking about their problems or negative emotions, but the need to do so is great. By opening up to treatment, men can successfully manage their substance addictions and prevent relapse.

Do men drink more than women?

Both men and women engage in problem drinking and drug use, but statistics demonstrate that men do it more frequently than women. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “men are almost two times more likely to binge drink than women” and “among drivers in fatal motor-vehicle traffic crashes, men are almost twice as likely as women to have been intoxicated.” Regardless of gender, the sad truth is that more than 90% of individuals who need treatment for substance abuse or a dependency don’t get it. While women may face some gender-related barriers to getting substance abuse treatment, many men often struggle with some traditional stereotypes and conventional notions about masculinity that prevent them from seeking the help they need.

How to help a male client overcome gender bias?

In general, questioning oneself helps overcome stereotypes and genderbiases. When a maleclient walks into a clinician's office, the clinician should be able to adopt a stance of curiosity about his or her own understanding and the client's understanding of what it means for the client to be a man and how this identity is expressed in relation to his family, colleagues, friends, and the clinician. For example, many American men are raised to be independent and autonomous. Seeking or being mandated to treatment may feel like a weakness and affront to their sense of masculinity; however, such responses may not apply to a particular male client. Clinicians can inquire about such matters by saying, “I imagine that it may be difficult to ask for help because men are socialized to be strong and independent in our culture, but I am curious what it is like for you, specifically, to be here today.” The advice box below summarizes how both male and female counselors can address gender bias and stereotyping when working with male clients.

How to help men with emotional issues?

Because men may be particularly uncomfortable with emotional expression or have difficulty identifying and understanding their own emotions early in treatment, the clinician should carefully monitor the emotional intensity of initial interactions, offering men time to compose themselves if needed. It may be useful to defer exploration of feelings until there is less anxiety about the helping process and a better working alliance. Avoiding competitive exchanges, comments, or questions that might provoke shame can likewise be helpful. In some settings, talking while walking can decrease the intensity of direct eye contact and allow clients to dissipate excess energy, which may help make some men more comfortable during initial sessions.

How can motivational techniques help men?

Motivational techniques can help behavioral health clinicians engage men in the process of screeningand assessment (Miller and Rollnick 2002). Emphasizing the importance of free choice, even when there appears to be none, generally supports men's need for autonomy. For example, even when men have legal mandates to seek treatment or are threatened with the loss of employment or a relationship, the decision to enter treatment can still be presented as voluntary. As much as a man might complain about his lack of choice, he often can still choose separation, legal sanction, or a job search over treatment. Men also can be offered choices about where and how screening and comprehensive assessment proceed; as much as possible, they should be offered choices and allowed to decide how the process will unfold. This process can be as simple as asking the man whether he would like to return next Tuesday or Wednesday or in the morning or afternoon. Emphasizing choices usually facilitates engagement. Similarly, although some treatment models emphasize assertive confrontation of denial, it may be useful, as Miller and Rollnick suggest, to avoid argument and circumvent resistance in a more subtle, less confrontational manner. For more on how to use Miller and Rollnick's approach to motivate clients with substance use disorders, see TIP 35 (CSAT 1999b). TIP 34, Brief Interventions and Brief Therapies for Substance Abuse(CSAT 1999a), discusses the use of brief strategic and solution-based therapies in substance abuse treatment, which also may be useful in motivating clients to address specific problems.

Why is gender important in counseling?

Like ethnicity, race, religion, and culture, counselor and client gendercan play a role in both the counselor's and client's experience of the therapeutic relationship. Gender colors the attitudes, feelings, beliefs, and interactions of both behavioral health counselors and clients. Therefore, it is important for treatment programs working with maleclients to consider counselor gender. Both male and female counselors have their advantages, and programs need to consider the specific client as well as a range of other counselor- and program-related factors in assigning the best counselor for any given client. Counselors, too, need to be aware of gender dynamics and how they affect their practice.

What are some visual references men use?

Some men find it easier to explore and discuss their problems using visual references, such as timelines, node-link maps, and genograms.

What is the socialization of men?

Men are typically socialized to be goal-directed and action-oriented: Try ending each screeningor assessmentsession with a clear plan for what will happen next.

Why is it important to emphasize options?

Emphasizing options and the importance of free choice, even when choices are limited, generally supports men's need for a sense of independence and autonomy.

What are the barriers to recovery for men?

Another significant barrier for men in recovery is undiagnosed psychiatric disorders. More than half of individuals struggling with substance abuse also suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder. Untreated depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and other personality disorders frequently lead to relapse.

What are the challenges men face in recovery?

In early recovery, men face multiple challenges and barriers that may interfere with them from getting the help they need. Cultural expectations and societal pressures leave the impression that men are to assume the role of being strong, fearless, and in control. These unhealthy and unrealistic expectations produce the ideology that “being a man” means you do not need help, never struggle, and admitting to a problem is a sign of weakness or defeat. Masculinity has become synonymous with ignoring or denying pain, trauma, mental health issues, and addiction.

Why do men struggle to stay sober?

Many men in recovery may find themselves struggling to stay sober because they are not engaging in the right support. Despite obstacles and challenges, long-term sobriety is possible for every individual in recovery. There are a ton of aftercare programs for substance abuse that provide essentials tools to the success of any sober man or person. In order to maintain long-term sobriety, the following factors should be available for men in early recovery:

What are the stressors of recovery?

Often, men may face a ton of stressors in early recovery. Interpersonal relationships, financial obligations, relationships with children, and the role of being the head of the household provider are all common stressors that men face in recovery. Male or female, society has placed gender-specific requirements that each individual is expected ...

What are the effects of a minor setback?

A minor setback or conflict may send the individual to struggle interpersonally and ultimately trigger feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The primary focus in early recovery must be on addressing the addiction, seeking a spiritual solution, and putting his sobriety first.

Why is it important to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in recovery?

It is essential for men in recovery to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in which they can discuss issues they may be facing and ask for help or advice on those issues. Aftercare programs such as IOP and 12 Step involvement can help men maintain accountability and consistent engagement in recovery.

Why do men relapse?

In early recovery, men may feel the need to acquire a high-paying job to maintain financial obligations, which can ultimately lead to more time spent working and less time committed to their recovery. Financial stressors can also be a significant trigger for relapse.

What are the barriers to addiction?

Barriers to finding addiction treatment may vary by personal situation, but the most common barriers include: 1 Financial/Cost 2 Geographic Location 3 Stigma 4 Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Availability

How can treatment be more accessible?

Whatever the case may be, there are changes occurring on several fronts that can make treatment more accessible for more people. Changes in insurance coverage may open the door for increasing numbers of people to get the treatment they need. Innovations, such as teleheath, allow people in secluded areas to connect with providers without having to travel long distances. Additionally, alternative options to treatment—such as 12-step groups and other self-help programs—are free and widely available.

Why don't people go to treatment?

Many people do not enter treatment because they don’t think they can afford it.

Where does individual therapy take place?

Individual therapy can also take place in an inpatient or outpatient program or independently in a therapist’s office.

What are the barriers to addiction treatment?

Barriers to Treatment: Cost. A large majority of individuals who are struggling with addiction do not seek treatment. More often than not, barriers are hindering them from doing so. When individuals with substance use disorders go into substance use treatment, it usually improves their rates of abstinence, relapse avoidance, and related behaviors.

What is the first barrier to substance abuse?

So, the first barrier is people who do not see a problem, denial: they see nothing wrong with their substance use and want to keep using. In many cases, at least early on, no one else notices or recognizes it as a problem, which makes it easier for people to deceive themselves.

What is the Allen Barriers to Treatment Instrument?

Both the Barriers Questionnaire and the Allen Barriers to Treatment Instrument (ABTI) include the inability to pay among the possible reasons that individuals can’t obtain treatment. Rehab is expensive, especially the best rehabs, especially if people’s insurance policies don’t cover it adequately.

Why do we avoid rehab?

Barriers to Treatment: Time Conflict. Like other necessary chores—dentist appointments, oil changes—sometimes we avoid rehab because of the time it takes. Whether seven days or 30 days or 90 days, that’s a large block of time. Even if its outpatient or in-home, rehab involves more than not using drugs.

Why do people not seek help in rehab?

In some cases, their friends and family may discourage treatment for their own reasons. They may not “believe” in rehab for religious or political reasons, or they may be afraid of stigma by association, among other barriers to recovery from addiction. The damage only becomes worse if people don’t seek help.

Why do people resist seeking help?

Because rehab is so associated with the 12 steps method created by Alcoholics Anonymous, people may resist seeking help because they don’t want to stand up in front of a large group and say, “My name is Blank, and I’m an alcoholic” or “drug addict.”

How much money does a SUD treatment facility save?

It is believed that opening one additional substance use disorder treatment facility in a county may reduce rates of drug-induced deaths and associated crimes, saving approximately $700,000 per year.

Why is it important to seek support and resources for warfighters?

Warfighters lead stressful lives, so it’s important to seek support and resources to help you cope and stay ready for duty. While many wouldn’t hesitate to see their doctor about a physical ailment, asking for help to address psychological struggles can feel overwhelming.

Can not seeking help affect your career?

COA: It’s easy to focus on the possible downsides of seeking help. But it might be time to examine the potentially devastating impact of NOT seeking help: It can affect your career, friends, and loved ones. Consider that others have received help and achieved successful careers, but they might not have been willing to talk openly about things because of stigma or shame Keep in mind the act of seeking mental health care alone (or your response to question 21 on the SF 86) will not automatically disqualify you from getting or maintaining a security clearance. Good judgment and other factors truly impact your security clearance status.

What are the barriers to getting help for mental health?

A recent study demonstrated that lack of awareness, social stigma, cost, and limited access are some of the most prominent factors standing in the way of people pursuing mental health ...

What are the barriers to mental health?

For as much as mental health awareness and advocacy continues to build momentum, there are still formidable barriers to cross. And, unfortunately, it’s the individuals and families of people in need of mental health treatment that experience these challenges the most. Lack of awareness, social stigma, cost, and limited access are some of the most prominent factors standing in the way of people pursuing mental health treatment. Let’s take a closer look at how these obstacles impact access to much-needed mental health treatment and resources.

How does social stigma affect mental health?

In effect, social stigma causes a harmful chain reaction that looks like this: Social stigma leads to avoiding or delaying needed mental health treatment. In turn, the mental illness goes untreated, often causing a person to remain unemployed because he/she does not have the support needed to perform a job.

How many people have mental health issues?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), upwards of 59% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. One in five Americans will experience a mental illness within a year. And, one out of every 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, as examples).

What are the factors that contribute to mental illness?

And, it’s equally important to understand that mental illness can derive from a number of factors, including: Trauma (abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence) Experiences connected with a chronic medical condition (such as diabetes or cancer) Substance use (alcohol, recreational or prescription drugs)

Is mental health insurance exempt from high cost?

High Cost. When exploring why the cost is a barrier for those seeking mental health treatment, one may wonder if those with health insurance coverage are exempt. The short answer is no. In fact, studies confirm that 42% of Americans cited cost and poor insurance coverage as top barriers to accessing mental health care.

Can you control your mental health if you only tried?

“You could control your mental illness…if you only tried.” Sadly, this is something that people with mental illness hear often. Stigmas such as this add to the shame and embarrassment felt by those struggling with a mental health disorder, so much so, in fact, that they will avoid seeking treatment for their condition.

What is the barrier that some clients face?

A barrier that some clients face is clinicians that don’t assess for substance abuse issues. A client may seek counseling and worry about disclosing their use. If the clinician doesn’t assess substance use with every client, they may miss the need to address this issue.

Why do clients deny substance use?

A client may minimize or deny substance use due to fear that their clinician will judge them. Clinicians can benefit from continued education and certification in the field of addiction counseling to provide the best care for their clients.

Problem? What Problem?

But Women Are The Emotional Ones

Shame and Embarrassment

• Men may feel too ashamed or embarrassed about their drinking or drug use problem to ask for help. Again, that notion of mental health issues and weakness has permeated male culture and is a serious barrier to recovery. Many men aren’t comfortable admitting they have a problem to a professional healthcare provider—and many still aren’t comfortable a...

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Responsibilities

The Diy Approach to Treatment