Did you know that men are twice as likely to be addicted to alcohol and other substances as women? Substance abuse of any kind is in itself, quite frightening, and unfortunately, it can lead to other dangerous behaviors. It’s important to be informed so you can be sure your family is protected.

But we wouldn’t be covering the whole issue by saying just that men are more likely than women. While it is a fact that men are more likely to abuse alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana, women are as likely to become addicted to many hard drugs. Actually, they are more likely than men to become addicted to prescription drugs like pain medications.

Let’s take a look at what specifically makes men more likely to abuse substances like drugs and alcohol. Actually, it is in part due to the many physical and psychological differences between men and women.

Some substances have a different effect on men than on women. One example is cocaine, which has been shown to have a great effect on men. Scientists think this might be the difference in whether men or women get addicted, but there is no way to tell for sure, because the effect of drugs is very difficult to measure. One can measure the physical effects, but it is quite difficult to determine exactly how different drugs make each gender feel.

When a man first uses a drug, he has the likelihood similar to that of a woman as far as becoming addicted. What this indicates is that while there are differences in what drugs to do each gender, the real determining factor is what prompts a person to start or try the drug; no what gets them addicted.

One a man starts using a drug; he generally has the same likelihood of becoming an addict as a woman. This means that while there may be differences in what drugs do to men and women, the biggest determining factors are what cause them to start, not what gets them addicted.

Men usually have more access and more offers to try a drug. They start using substances like alcohol, marijuana and tobacco, often while they are in their teens. Men in this age group have a certain feeling of invincibility and are actually more likely to participate in reckless behavior than their female counterparts.

Also, more men become and stay addicted to substances because they are more likely to relapse when they try to quit. One significant study showed a significantly higher number of men relapsed during a six month rehabilitation period.

Researchers at first thought the differences may be due to less drug use by women in the first place added to the fact that women may have had ore support. But the data didn’t show that any of this had an effect. What did seem to matter is whether or not the person fully participated in the group therapy part of recover; a segment more adapted for women.

When you determine that someone you know is abusing substances, or if you suspect they might be, you can try to get them into a treatment program. No program is perfect; there are many men who have to overcome substance abuse. Be sure to talk with a doctor or a counselor about programs specifically for men that may be available.