Addiction in the LGBT Community
Drug and alcohol addiction has significantly impacted the lives of many within the LGBT community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) due to the high cases of discrimination and challenges presented to the LGBT community daily. Addiction can take many forms, and LGBT individuals have been affected by substance abuse, including heroin, cocaine, meth, crack, prescription drug use, and alcohol abuse. No matter what the substance is, the significant impact that a life of addiction can have is life-changing and sometimes life-shattering to your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Statistics have shown that LGBT individuals are twice as likely to develop an addiction to drugs and alcohol than heterosexual individuals. When you are faced with daily hurdles and higher levels of discrimination or bias within your interactions with others and your everyday life, it is easy to feel alone or become emotionally impacted and discouraged as you receive unfair and unjust treatment from those around you. The allure of an escape through alcohol and drugs is appealing as it feels like the only way to manage the pains of discrimination you have experienced and have a momentary reprieve from the troubling emotions you are experiencing.
The Los Angeles LGBT community is not immune to the harmful stigmas and judgments that society places upon LGBT individuals and the detrimental effects of drug or alcohol addiction. When you have had multiple lived experiences of feeling judged or treated as less than, it makes it challenging to have the courage to reach out for help to a society that has contributed to your substance use disorders. To ensure a successful healing journey within alcohol and drug rehab, LGBT individuals must have access to an addiction treatment center that is inclusive and LGBT friendly where their uniqueness and individuality are celebrated and honored. Los Angeles members of the LGBT community have found solace in the addiction treatment programs offered within Muse Treatment Center. We treat each patient with the honor and dignity they deserve as you embark on this life-changing path of self-discovery, personal growth, and healing.
Causes of Addiction Among LGBT
Alcohol and drug addiction is a personal disease that develops within each person for their unique reasons and circumstances. It is rare to find someone who desires to develop a drug or alcohol addiction. Instead, alcohol and drug addiction tend to develop over time due to many contributing factors that have impacted how you feel about or see yourself. These can include emotional turmoil or traumatic incidents that have significantly impacted your ability to cope and manage through the emotions that are attributed to these factors.
While most people in active alcohol or drug addiction have faced their fair share of hardships and challenges, members of the LGBT community have experienced additional barriers and challenges due to the social stigmatization and isolation from others within modern-day society. Some of the contributing factors that have impacted the higher rates of addiction among the LGBT community are:
They face feelings of rejection and shame from family and friends. Many LGBT individuals have had the experience of coming out to their loved ones. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for loved ones to have adverse reactions that are not supportive or the loving response that one would hope for. As you share your true self with others and feel rejected, it can create feelings of shame around being your true self, leading to isolation from others and guilt about expressing your true individuality and identity.
They experience discrimination and biases from others within society due to their sexual identity, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. The unfortunate truth of humanity is that while progress has been made towards breaking down societal barriers, many unfair biases and judgments are still placed upon the LGBT community.
They also face the risk of violence placed upon individuals due to their sexual orientation or identity. The LGBT community has been the target of hate crimes. The rising numbers of discriminatory acts placed upon Los Angeles LGBT members have created a sense of fear and anxiety for individuals to be their true, authentic selves within the public eye. There have been statistics that have shown that there is an increased risk of domestic violence or physical abuse from partners.
They face unjust biases within different systems due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. Members of the LGBT community have faced employment challenges, including loss of promotions or loss of position due to your involvement within the LGBT community. Additionally, there have been significant impacts for individuals within the family court system where LGBT individuals have experienced child custody losses and changes made to custody agreements because of being LGBT.
Finding Treatment For LGBT Community
When you are preparing to address your alcohol and drug addiction, as a member of the LGBT community, you must find an addiction treatment center that is an inclusive, trusting space. When you have experienced a disproportionate amount of hate and judgment, your ability and willingness to put your trust in others to heal from your addiction will be affected. That is why it is essential to find an addiction treatment center specifically created to be LGBT friendly means that the counselors and fellow patients all have their own experiences as LGBT persons or are active LGBTQ allies. A culture of trust and empowerment will support patients to have confidence in alcohol or drug rehab to facilitate the personal growth and change they want to see within themselves.
If you do enter addiction treatment, here is a guide to help you inform your friends and family about the process:
https://musetreatment.com/blog/how-tell-friends-family-youve-entered-rehab/
Addiction Treatment Needs For LGBT
Addiction treatment for LGBT individuals requires a specialized approach to healing that focuses on each patient’s individual needs while honoring the unique circumstances and contributing factors that have influenced addiction within the LGBT community. Your drug or alcohol addiction treatment program needs to address the lifelong history of trauma and discrimination that you have faced while developing new coping methods and managing any future triggering situations without returning to your substance use disorders.
Addiction Treatment Programs for LGBT Community
The key to a successful addiction treatment program for the LGBT community is having access to individualized rehab programs that target your specific emotional and behavioral needs for therapy. This allows patients to address the underlying causes of their drug and alcohol addiction while promoting healing from the unnecessary judgment and bias through various evidence-based treatment methods, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and dual diagnosis treatment. Significant research has shown that individuals within the LGBT community live with co-occurring mental health disorders alongside their drug or alcohol addiction. A dual diagnosis program will support patients in addressing their mental health conditions and how they have impacted their addictive behaviors. Through holistic therapy and behavioral therapies, patients will be able to develop the tools for relapse prevention and effective, balanced sober living routines.
LGBTQ Addiction Treatment Aftercare
After completing an LGBT addiction treatment program, it is highly recommended that you continue with your sobriety journey with the support of an aftercare program. Inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab is a busy time where you are healing from your past and developing tools for the future in recovery. Once you complete addiction treatment, your ability to check in with counselors as you put to use the tools you learned in alcohol and drug rehab will allow you the time and space you need to create a healthy, new life foundation of health and addiction recovery.
Safe LGBT Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles
Muse Treatment Center offers an LGBT addiction treatment center, so Los Angeles residents have a safe space to address their drug and alcohol addiction without the fear or concern of experiencing judgment or discrimination. Our compassionate team is dedicated to creating an inclusive, LGBT-friendly space that celebrates the individuality of all patients while providing exceptional addiction therapy methodologies that are above and beyond industry-standard programming. The environment we set within our treatment center is empowerment and hope. We work closely with our patients to reduce the feelings of shame and guilt associated with addiction and the stigmas of your sexual orientation by fostering positive personal growth based on self-acceptance, self-discovery, and self-love.
Los Angeles residents will have the opportunity to engage in various forms of therapy, including individual therapy, group therapy sessions, and have options of engaging in family therapy where they can address the impacts of addiction within their personal, social, and familial life. At Muse Treatment, we believe that addiction treatment is when patients can begin to build a positive network of support that will last within rehab and after you complete your program. This support will ensure you have the support, attention, and love you need to make a lasting change towards a life of sober living. Contact Muse Treatment at (800) 426-1818 today to hear more about the LGBT-friendly treatment program offered within our facility and begin your healing journey today.
