For many men, the emotional weight of daily life often goes unspoken. Pain gets buried. Stress is brushed off. And when those feelings don’t have a healthy outlet, they sometimes find one in alcohol, drugs, or other addictive behaviors.
What might look like substance abuse on the surface is often something deeper underneath. In many cases, it’s a struggle with mental health that hasn’t been fully acknowledged or supported. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, substance use disorders and mental health disorders often occur together, making integrated treatment essential for recovery.
At Into The Light in Redlands, we believe that healing starts with being seen. That’s why we focus on helping men understand the connection between mental health and substance use. This is not about shame or blame. It’s about recognizing what you’ve been carrying and finding a way to finally put it down.
Why This Conversation Matters for Men Today
Men are statistically less likely to seek help for mental health issues, despite experiencing high rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use. This silence is often reinforced by social expectations to appear strong or unaffected. Many men have been taught to “tough it out,” stay silent, or numb the pain. Unfortunately, that silence can lead to dangerous patterns, including substance misuse, isolation, or even suicide.
Talking about these issues openly is one way we can break the cycle. It’s time to challenge outdated ideas about masculinity and mental health and offer a more supportive, compassionate path forward.
How Mental Health Struggles Can Lead to Substance Use in Men
When mental health symptoms go unaddressed, they often don’t just fade away. They show up in other forms. Some men may drink to sleep at night. Others may use marijuana to take the edge off of social anxiety, or stimulants to power through days that feel overwhelming. Over time, this pattern of coping can create dependency.
Substances may offer short-term relief, but they often make underlying issues worse in the long run. What begins as a way to cope can spiral into something that makes life even harder to manage.
Signs That Substance Use May Be Hiding a Mental Health Issue
Not all signs are obvious. For men, emotional distress often shows up in subtle or socially acceptable ways, which makes it easy to miss. Recognizing the early signs of mental health struggles in men can be key to early intervention.
Emotional Clues
- Feeling numb, disconnected, or constantly irritable
- Withdrawing from family, friends, or responsibilities
- Using substances to feel “normal” or calm
Behavioral Clues
- Drinking or using drugs as a way to manage emotions or avoid them
- Increasing secrecy or defensiveness about substance use
- Struggling to stop despite wanting to cut back
These signs don’t mean someone is weak. They often mean someone is hurting and may not know how to ask for help.
Understanding Co-Occurring Conditions in Men
Substance use in men often co-exists with one or more underlying mental health conditions.
Some of the most common co-occurring diagnoses we support at Into The Light include:
- Depression, which can show up as irritability, fatigue, or emotional numbness
- Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, panic, and social anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often linked to past trauma or high-stress environments
- Mood disorders, which may involve unpredictable mood swings or emotional dysregulation
- Bipolar disorder, with cycles of depressive lows and manic or hypomanic highs
When these conditions go unaddressed, they can quietly fuel substance use. That’s why integrated care is essential for meaningful recovery.
If you’re unsure which level of care is right for your needs, understanding the differences between PHP, IOP, and outpatient mental health treatment can help guide your decision.
The Importance of Integrated Care for Men
Too often, mental health and addiction are treated separately. Someone may go to rehab for substance use but never address the depression that led them there. Or they may see a therapist for anxiety but feel ashamed to mention their drinking.
Real recovery happens when care addresses the whole person, not just the symptoms on the surface. This means looking at the emotional, physical, relational, and even spiritual dimensions of what someone is going through. Men deserve a treatment model that sees and supports them in every aspect of their life.
How Into The Light Supports Men in Healing Both Mind and Body
Into The Light offers a flexible range of care including Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Outpatient Treatment to meet men where they are in their recovery.
A Safe Space to Be Seen and Heard
We create an environment where men can speak openly without judgment. Here, vulnerability is met with respect. Whether you’re sharing something for the first time or confronting emotions you’ve buried for years, you’ll be met with compassion, not criticism. Each man receives individualized treatment that honors his unique background, challenges, and goals.
Services That Treat the Whole Person
At Into The Light, our care team uses a variety of evidence-based and trauma-informed therapies to help men process what they’re carrying and build tools for long-term mental wellness. These include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), for emotional regulation and distress tolerance
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), designed to help reframe trauma
- Trauma therapy, including support for developmental trauma
- Process group therapy, where healing can happen through shared experience
- Solution-Focused Therapy, for setting goals and building forward momentum
Healing at Into The Light is grounded in a holistic approach that considers mind, body, and spirit, not just symptoms.
Taking the First Step Is a Sign of Strength, Not Weakness
If you’re a man who has been struggling, you’re not alone. And you’re not broken. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men die by suicide at nearly four times the rate of women. This is a stark reminder of the silent suffering so many carry. Reaching out for help isn’t giving up. It’s choosing a better future.
You don’t have to navigate this on your own. Support is here. Healing is possible. And you’re worth that healing.
Call to Action
If you’re struggling beneath the surface, you’re not alone. At Into The Light in Redlands, we offer compassionate, personalized care for men living with mental health and substance use challenges. Reach out today and let’s start a conversation about what healing could look like for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What mental health conditions commonly co-occur with substance use in men?
Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
Bipolar disorder
ADHD
OCD
Why do so many men turn to alcohol or drugs to cope?
Men are often conditioned to suppress emotional pain and avoid vulnerability. When emotions like sadness, fear, or stress have nowhere to go, substances can become a way to cope. Over time, this coping method can create a cycle of dependency.
What is dual diagnosis treatment for men?
Dual diagnosis treatment is a clinical approach that addresses both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time. This integrated model improves outcomes by targeting the root causes, not just the symptoms.
How do I know if my loved one is using substances to cope with mental health struggles?
Changes in mood or behavior
Increased secrecy or defensiveness
Isolation or loss of interest in relationships
Escalating substance use despite negative consequences
What kind of support does Into The Light offer for men with both mental health and substance use challenges?
Into The Light offers outpatient and intensive outpatient (IOP) care that integrates therapy, psychiatry, trauma treatment, and holistic practices. This person-centered approach helps men heal emotionally and physically, while building long-term resilience.
