Who you are and where you come from plays a role in drug use. Demographics like gender, age and race influence what drug a person chooses. They influence how and why a person uses and the way and rate at which use becomes abuse and addiction.
Do Men Use LSD?
Men are more likely to abuse several different drugs. The Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse[1] reports, “Higher drug use rates among male college students, relative to female college students, support previous work that revealed higher rates of illicit drug use such as marijuana, LSD and other psychedelics, inhalants, and prescription stimulants in this population.” College-aged individuals are not alone in seeing a gender gap in specific drug use. Across all ages a significantly larger number of men than women turn to psychedelic drugs like LSD. The journal F1000Research[2] shares, “There were approximately 32 million lifetime psychedelic users in the US in 2010; including 17% of people aged 21 to 64 years (22% of males and 12% of females). Rate of lifetime psychedelic use was greatest among people aged 30 to 34 (total 20%, including 26% of males and 15% of females).” Nearly twice as many men as women use psychedelics. When you understand statistics and demographics related to addiction, you better understand the risks you or a loved one face. You also learn you are not alone no matter who you are and where you are in life. You can find treatment that meets your specific recovery needs. You will find professionals who specialize in your care. You will find peers you can relate to and find recovery support from.
Why Do Men Use LSD?
Gender does more than influence what drug is used. It influences why certain drugs are used. The Wall Street Journal[3] reveals one reason adult men may turn to hallucinogens like LSD: “Economic downturns lead to increases in substance-use disorders involving hallucinogens and prescription pain relievers…These effects are robust to a variety of specification choices and are concentrated among prime-age white males with low educational attainment.” Men may turn to LSD and other substances in an attempt to escape concerns about the current political and economic situation. Feelings of hopelessness or frustration may influence decisions to use. A potential related statistic is that “Prime-age Americans have been dropping out of the workforce.” Men often face greater pressures to be financially successful and employed. Men may turn to LSD after they lose or leave a job. They may want to escape the economic and social stress of unemployment. Other men may experiment with hallucinogens before quitting a job. They may feel unsatisfied with life or work and choose this seemingly “easy” way to change perception. LSD does not offer real solutions or solve any problems. It can temporarily mask feelings, but any underlying economic, personal and social problems remain long after the “trip” ends.
Why Should Men End Their LSD Abuse?
Your underlying reasons for LSD use will not be solved by continued drug use. In fact LSD complicates an already complicated reality. Personal and professional problems become more serious as a result of this drug use. For example if you use LSD to cope with the current economic situation, you may find that the current economic situation complicates your drug use. The Wall Street Journal explains that “As state budgets contract during economic downturns, drug-treatment funding is particularly vulnerable…Such funding cuts, if untargeted, could lead to significant adverse effects on individuals with substance-use disorders.” Budget cuts lead to less access to public treatment. Economic downturn means unemployment, lay-offs or part-time work that doesn’t offer insurance benefits. If you are fired as a result of your drug use, you may lose insurance benefits that would otherwise cover addiction treatment. Professional impacts are just some of many potential consequences men face when using this drug. LSD abuse is not harmless, and it affects all areas of life.
How Can Men End LSD Abuse?
LSD abuse treatment is accessible, no matter your financial situation. Insurance plans offered through the Affordable Care Act cover addiction treatment as an essential healthcare benefit. Insurance offered through employers usually must offer equivalent coverage for mental healthcare as physical. If you do not have insurance, scholarships, sliding scale programs and more make treatment accessible. You can afford treatment, as recovery will always be cheaper than continued substance abuse. Taking immediate action means being able to take advantage of current insurance coverage. When you address your LSD use now, you avoid future complications use will bring. Call our toll-free helpline to learn about options for ending LSD use. We can connect you to treatment programs that specialize in treating men. We can help you find options that can be scheduled around your work obligations. We can verify insurance coverage or help you find financially feasible treatment. When it comes to addiction and recovery, there is no concern too big or too small for us. Call any time, 24 hours a day.
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2377408/. “Race/Ethnicity and Gender Differences in Drug Use and Abuse Among College Students.” Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse. 2007. Web. 22 Jul 2013.
[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3917651/. “Over 30 Million Psychedelic Users in the United States.” F1000Research. 28 Mar 2013. Web. 22 Jul 2013.
[3] https://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2016/03/01/the-great-recession-may-have-worsened-drug-abuse-especially-among-white-men. “The Great Recession May Have Worsened Drug Abuse, Especially Among White Men.” 1 Mar 2016. Web. 22 Jul 2016.
