You may have heard of “co-ed sober housing” and wondered why anyone would choose to live in a men-only or women-only sober living home. Aren’t they all the same? All sober livings help people with long-term sobriety, but single gender sober livings houses may have some advantages. Men and women can recover from addictions together, of course. But research shows that some people respond better to gender-specific treatment strategies.
For example, if you’re a man who feels uncomfortable around women because of your past experiences with them, co-ed rehab may not be ideal for you. Or if you feel more comfortable talking about your struggles with other men and don’t want to be pressured into sharing personal details with women, again co-ed living might not be ideal for you. This article will explore some of the biggest benefits of choosing a men's-only sober living home over other types of sober livings.
You’ll Be Around People Who Understand Your Struggle
If you’re a man who has struggled with addictions in the past, you may have noticed that many women in recovery don’t understand what you’ve been through. Their experiences with addiction may have been different from yours. Or perhaps they’ve had different challenges in their lives that have overshadowed their addictions and made it harder for them to relate to your situation and empathize with how hard it is to recover. In a men’s-only sober living home, you’ll be around other men who know what you’ve been through. They know all about the shame and embarrassment of having an addiction, facing the disapproval of others, and needing support to overcome their addictions.
It’ll Be Easier to Stay Committed to Recovery
If you’re a man who turns to drugs and alcohol to “self-medicate” your feelings, you’re not alone. Research shows that men are twice as likely as women to turn to substance abuse to cope with problems and negative feelings. As a result, you may have turned to drugs and alcohol in the past to ease feelings of shame, guilt, loneliness, and other negative emotions related to growing up as a man. You may have used substances to numb the pain of childhood abuse and other trauma, or to “fit in” with peers who were also abusing drugs and alcohol. You may have also turned to drugs and alcohol to boost your self-esteem and “fit in” more with other men. In a co-ed sober home, these feelings and pressures could resurface. You could feel uncomfortable sharing your story with women and pressure from other residents to use substances again.
You Won’t Have to Hide Your Mistakes
As a man in recovery, you may feel more comfortable making mistakes and admitting when you’ve gone off track. You may feel less pressure to appear perfect in front of other women in recovery. In a co-ed sober home, you could be tempted to hide your shortcomings because they might make other women uncomfortable. You could be worried that they’ll judge you or that they’ll think less of you. And if you’re transitioning to a sober living home after being in a treatment program, you may be tempted to avoid sharing your mistakes in front of other women. You may worry that they’ll think less of you or that they’ll judge you. You may even worry that women will judge you more harshly than men.
There Will be No Temptation
If you’re a man who has turned to substances in the past to cope with problems, you may have felt pressured to use again in a co-ed sober living home. You may have worried that other residents are using and that you’ll be pressured to use with them. Or perhaps you’ve felt uncomfortable sharing your stories with women who don’t understand addiction and might judge you for your past experiences with substances. You may have even worried that you’re being treated unfairly or that you’re being judged in a way that other residents aren’t. You could have felt conflicted between wanting to fit in with the group and being honest about your past.
Men Experience Addiction Uniquely
Men and women have different needs when they live in a sober home. Men tend to have different challenges than women, especially in the early days of recovery. For example: men are more likely to struggle with isolation, depression, shame and aggression during the initial stages of sobriety. In fact, many men will return to drinking as their first response if they feel unaccepted or unsafe at home. These negative effects are often exacerbated by the pressures of living among primarily women. As such, men-only sober living homes can provide a safer space for recovering men to find support and companionship.
Join Our Community at Sober Living East
Many people choose a men-only sober living because they feel more comfortable around other men. This is completely understandable, as men can relate to each other and understand each other much better than they can women. You may feel more comfortable sharing your story with other men and feeling supported by other men as you continue your path to lifelong recovery. And you may feel less pressured to hide your mistakes and use substances again. If you feel like a men-only sober living home is right for you, Sober Living East may be the right place for you.
At Sober Living East, you’ll feel comfortable being yourself. You’ll be able to share your story with other men who can relate to what you’ve been through. You’ll feel supported in your journey to stay clean and sober. And you’ll be able to look to your peers for encouragement, support, and advice as you continue your path to lifelong recovery.
If you feel like a men-only sober living home is right for you, start your search for one today. Use our website to understand a little more about what sober livings are and what they offer, or simply reach out to one of our staff members at Sober Living East for a free and confidential consultation. You’ll be one step closer to your goal of lifelong sobriety when you do!
