Substance use and organ health
This organ, responsible for filtering toxins, can develop cirrhosis after years of heavy alcohol use.
What is the liver?
This is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer, often detected through a PSA test or digital rectal exam.
What is prostate cancer?
The CDC recommends this many minutes of strength training per week, in addition to cardio.
What is at least 2 days (muscle-strengthening activity)?
This annual vaccine protects against seasonal respiratory illness and is recommended for nearly all adults each fall.
What is the flu (influenza) vaccine?
This term describes the health risk of prolonged loneliness, which studies compare to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
What is social isolation?
This is the medical term for the liver disease caused by long-term heavy drinking, often preventable by cutting back early.
What is alcoholic liver disease (or cirrhosis)?
This habit is responsible for about 30% of all cancer deaths and is the leading cause of lung cancer.
What is smoking (tobacco use)?
This type of exercise, like walking or cycling, raises heart rate and is the foundation of cardiovascular fitness.
What is aerobic exercise?
This vaccine, recommended once after age 50, protects against a painful nerve condition caused by the reactivated chickenpox virus.
What is the shingles vaccine
This type of relationship — built on shared experience and accountability — is a core part of long-term recovery support.
What is a mentor/sponsor relationship?
Long-term use of this class of drugs, including opioids, can suppress this hormone system, lowering testosterone and energy levels.
What is the endocrine/hormonal system?
This type of skin protection, used daily, significantly lowers risk of skin cancer — the most common cancer overall.
What is sunscreen (SPF/sun protection)?
This simple daily movement goal, often tracked by a phone or watch, is a common benchmark for general activity level.
What is 10,000 steps?
This vaccine booster is recommended every 10 years to protect against a bacterial infection that causes muscle stiffness and lockjaw.
What is the tetanus (Td/Tdap) vaccine?
Men are statistically less likely than women to do this when facing a health or emotional problem, often delaying treatment.
What is asking for help (seeking help)?
This is the term for the body's process of physically healing and stabilizing during the weeks after stopping substance use — a foundation before deeper recovery work begins.
What is detox
This lifestyle factor — carrying excess body fat — is linked to increased risk for at least 13 types of cancer.
What is obesity/excess weight?
Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce cravings and improve mood by boosting these "feel-good" brain chemicals.
What are endorphins (or dopamine/serotonin)?
This vaccine, given in a series, protects the liver from a virus often spread through contaminated blood or drug equipment — especially relevant in recovery communities.
What is the Hepatitis B vaccine?
This weekly or daily practice — checking in with a friend, family member, or group — helps men catch stress or relapse warning signs early.
What is a check-in (accountability check-in)?
Smoking and vaping primarily damage this organ system, reducing oxygen exchange and increasing risk of chronic bronchitis or COPD.
What are the lungs (respiratory system)?
A family history of this cancer, along with BRCA gene mutations, can increase a man's own risk for breast and prostate cancer.
What is breast cancer (in family history)?
Getting consistent physical activity can help regulate this sleep-related hormone, improving quality of rest — something crucial in early recovery.
What is melatonin?
This vaccine, widely discussed since 2020, protects against a respiratory virus and is now recommended annually for older or higher-risk adults.
What is the COVID-19 vaccine?
Fatherhood and involvement with children has been linked to lower rates of this negative outcome in men's long-term health studies.
What is mortality (early death) / poor health outcomes?