Most of the existing literature on substance abuse and treatment is limited either solely to women or to both genders in general. Boys and men, however, have a higher rate of substance use, abuse, and addiction, and require more specialized treatment methods that take into account the unique developmental and social aspects they face throughout their lives. This text is a guidebook that takes a developmental lifespan approach to discuss the biological and psychosocial factors that may be either protective or risk factors for substance use disorders for males. This developmental approach will provide substance abuse prevention specialists and treatment clinicians with a basic understanding of male development in order to insure greater gender-sensitivity with their prevention efforts and to recognize gender-specific issues in the substance abuse assessment and treatment realms. Relevant case examples are included that illustrate work with boys and men of all ages and that address a variety of factors associated with culture, ethnicity, race, religion, and sexual orientation. Mental health practitioners working with boys and men will gain an increased awareness about substance abuse among males, a better understanding of male development in relation to substance use and abuse, and an increased skill-level to provide more comprehensive, gender-sensitive prevention and treatment practices for each developmental level outlined in the text.

Most of the existing literature on substance abuse and treatment is limited either solely to women or to both genders in general. Boys and men, however, have a higher rate of substance use, abuse, and addiction, and require more specialized treatment methods that take into account the unique developmental and social aspects they face throughout their lives. This text is a guidebook that takes a developmental lifespan approach to discuss the biological and psychosocial factors that may be either protective or risk factors for substance use disorders for males. This developmental approach will provide substance abuse prevention specialists and treatment clinicians with a basic understanding of male development in order to insure greater gender-sensitivity with their prevention efforts and to recognize gender-specific issues in the substance abuse assessment and treatment realms. Relevant case examples are included that illustrate work with boys and men of all ages and that address a variety of factors associated with culture, ethnicity, race, religion, and sexual orientation. Mental health practitioners working with boys and men will gain an increased awareness about substance abuse among males, a better understanding of male development in relation to substance use and abuse, and an increased skill-level to provide more comprehensive, gender-sensitive prevention and treatment practices for each developmental level outlined in the text.