Addressing The Behavioral Health Needs Of Men: Substance Abuse

Course overview

This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) examines the history and theories of male socialization, changes in perceptions of masculinity and male roles, fatherhood, and other factors related to men¿s substance use, abuse, and treatment. It emphasizes the fact that there is no single concept of masculinity or male identity appropriate for all men. Many factors besides gender status influence men¿s identities¿age and cultural background, for example, affect how men view what it means to be male. While recognizing that there is tremendous variation among men, this TIP also discusses how American cultural norms shape the way many men evaluate themselves and how this relates to patterns of substance use or abuse and to treatment provided by behavioral health counselors.