From the day that they are born, boys are expected to uphold the ideals that society deems important in a successful man. They should be protectors, strong, courageous, independent. An emotional man is, in the eyes of wider society, a weak one. While this characterisation is damaging in a plethora of ways, the relationship between these masculine ideals and the likeliness of substance abuse, is a lesser discussed, and yet is a remarkably pertinent correlation which is key to the treatment of addiction in men.
Substance abuse is defined by the World Health Organisation as ‘harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs’. Even within this short definition, the reader can begin to see why a man with preconceived ideas of masculinity may struggle with addiction. ‘Harmful’ and ‘hazardous’ behaviour is often seen social currency within male social circles as our ideas of traditional ‘manliness’ involve: a need to dominate, emotional inhabitation, risk-taking, sexual prowess, etc. Drugs and alcohol are inextricable status symbols connected to this risky behaviour. Studies show that 39% of men exhibit signs of alcohol dependence, while 10% are full-fledged alcoholics, giving us insight into the idea that heavy drinking exemplifies the toxically masculine ideal of taking risks in spite of potential consequences, representing risk-taking bravado.
Another glaring reason for the correlation between men and substance abuse is the way in which masculine idealizations shape the way in which men turn to substances as maladaptive coping mechanisms instead of reaching out for therapeutic, healthy resources. It is a definite fact that men struggle to express their emotions, possibly due to the stoic idea of manliness, and this repression of emotion leads men towards unhealthy coping strategies such as substance abuse. This idea is displayed clearly in the far higher rates of completed suicides among men, while women are more likely to attempt suicide and fail, or to seek therapy for their mental health conditions. Men who are told throughout their lives that their emotions should be suppressed, the appeal of drugs or suicide to deal with intense feelings is clear and remarkably common. Substances provide a silent and efficient way for men to dampen feelings of intense emotion which, while obviously unhealthy and maladaptive, seems to be a simple solution for men whose emotion becomes too intense to bear.
To investigate the treatment of mental health in men, especially in relation to addiction, we need look no further than the public treatment of celebrity overdoses, looking towards Kurt Cobain as a prime example. Instead of discussing his mental health, his family, or possible ways in which the issue of chronic addiction among men could be remedied, the media harped on Cobain’s supposed selfishness and cowardice, his inability to provide for his family, even blaming his wife for his untimely death. While this may seem an extreme example, it is far from an isolated incident. Cobain was villainised in great part to the fact that his addiction and subsequent death signified his ‘failure’ as a man and as a father, the fact of his succumbing to addiction seeming to indicate an emotional shortcoming unbefitting to a man. Men who struggle with their mental health, especially addiction, are often led into it through a toxic mixture of societal pressure and feeling of personal responsibility over others, only to be marked as ‘failed’ men when their addiction or mental health problem becomes apparent to the world. In society’s eyes, it seems, a man with substance abuse issues is one who has failed in his duty to provide, an outward display of mental struggle a demonstration of weakness.
However, the issue of substance abuse among men also continues the cycle of male fragile masculinity leading to violence and aggression because men who struggle with addiction are far more likely to be violent, abusive or cruel towards their family members. While it is important to display empathy towards those struggling with addiction, we must not excuse the aggression and damaging behaviour towards others which often accompanies it.
There is no easy way to solve such an engrained and nuanced issue, other than through early education to attempt to remove the likely already engrained ideas of masculinity in young boys and men. Boys will inevitably learn their ideas of masculinity by example from those around them, and if their role models display the toxic masculine ideals of risk-taking and emotional suppression and stoicism, it is likely children will try to emulate that. The only way to solve this is by providing boys with good role models and showing them that displays of emotion are not weak, but demonstrations of positive masculinity which will make them more successful men with healthy relationships who enjoy life to its fullest.
This idea is encompassed perfectly in the statement
‘individuals are neither completely free to choose their destinies nor forced to behave according to objective norms or rules imposed on them.’
The issue of toxic masculinity in influencing the development of substance abuse issues is a complex one which is difficult to remedy due to consistent and inexorable societal ideals of masculinity. However, it is at its core a problem which we as a society can and should attempt to change, providing positive male role models for young boys so that they learn healthy emotional expression and an understanding that positive masculinity is necessary in order to become a successful man with healthy relationships. With this education and understanding, it is likely that many men will not grow up with such a desire to demonstrate their masculinity and will therefore be less inclined to turn to substances as a way to display this, while those who do will find it far easier to access the emotional capacity to recover successfully.
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