LGBTQIA+ Populations and Addiction
The addiction rate among the LGBTQ community is becoming a rising concern, and individuals within this community are at greater risk for developing a substance abuse disorder than other populations within society. Many factors contribute to these increasing numbers, but, fortunately, there are specific LGBTQ-friendly drug rehab programs that specialize in supporting individuals within this community to get the help they need to move away from a life of substance use and into the recovery they have been dreaming of at LGBTQIA+ friendly drug rehab facilities.
The LGBTQ community encounters a higher risk of addiction than any other population. With the compounding issues and challenges within the LGBTQ community, many people struggle to cope with these concerns and turn to substance use to manage the unpleasant emotions that arise from these situations. Due to this reason, individuals within the LBGTQ community are four times more likely to have a substance use disorder. An estimated 20-30% of the LGBTQ population struggles with alcohol or drug use compared to 9% of the overall population. Due to these rising concerns, it is more important than ever to have a treatment facility that demonstrates a level of kindness and respect for patients coming into rehab that facilitates a positive, healing journey.
Choosing LGBTQIA+ friendly drug rehab facilities tailored around supporting patients who identify as part of the LGBTQ population means you will have individualized care designed to give patients an inclusive, nonjudgemental space where you feel free to express yourself openly while being open and vulnerable to addressing the underlying reasons for your addiction. While many addiction treatment programs suggest they are non-biased, some individuals still face discrimination and experience an unsupportive space. These environments are not conducive to a healthy recovery from addiction. LGBTQ-friendly drug rehab has staff trained explicitly in barriers and challenges that transgender, gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals encounter daily. An LGBTQ-specific addiction treatment program celebrates each patient’s individuality. It supports patients in developing self-confidence and self-love by breaking down social stigmas and honoring each person’s individual story and strengths.
Discrimination, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Among LGBTQIA+ People
Compared to 30-40 years ago, the LGBTQ has seen an incredible increase in acceptance among society. While more and more people are becoming allies to our LGBTQ communities, there is still work to be done within society to create a more inclusive environment. It is unfortunate for many that discrimination still happens and occurs more often than one would think and in multiple ways. Discrimination comes in many facets; while some are blatantly obvious, some discrimination methods are less obvious but still hold an excellent level of pain. Discrimination can take the following forms:
- Peer ridicule or rejection
- Isolation from others/ being left out from events or social circles
- Experiencing physical abuse from partners or family members
- Members of family or friends reject you
- Being secluded from religious groups or practices
- Experiencing physical assault or violent acts committed towards you because of your sexual orientation or gender
- Loss of employment or unable to be hired for a job due to your sexual identity or sexual orientation
The high level of discrimination that occurs within this community undoubtedly raises concerns with mental health, including depression and anxiety. Living in a world where you potentially have to fear for your safety or have concern for how you will be treated within society perpetuates uncertainty and anxiety for fear of the unknown of how you will be treated. A recent study has shown that 36% of the LGBTQIA+ community lives with an anxiety disorder daily. Additionally, studies have shown that individuals within the LGBTQ community experience an increased level of depression, with nearly 61% of the population living with varying levels of depression. Living with depression comes with some crippling side effects, and for many, finding support for your mental health disorder can feel like an uphill battle. When you are in the depths of your depression, it can become easy to isolate yourself from the world with compounding symptoms such as a loss of motivation, lack of energy, and feelings of extreme sadness. These painful symptoms often perpetuate depressive feelings further and spiral downwards, leaving many feeling hopeless and experiencing increasing thoughts of suicide. In fact, the rates of suicide are at a startlingly higher rate for transgender individuals more than anyone else within society, with nearly 40% of transgender individuals attempting suicide at least once within their life.
The seriousness of these compounding issues often becomes unbearable and challenging to manage. It is no wonder that many will turn to substances to manage the unpleasant feelings and emotions that arise, especially when you don’t have the support to develop effective, healthy coping strategies. For some, drinking alcohol or engaging in drug use may feel like a way to connect with others and feel like they belong in a world that has already expressed so much isolation and discrimination over natural human rights. Whereas others may feel the darkest depths of their mental health concern and seek ways to alleviate the dark emotions that coincide with their current mental health concerns.
Addiction Treatment for LGBTQIA+ Individuals
Addiction treatment at LGBTQIA+ friendly drug rehab facilities is a time for patients to learn to release any feelings of shame and grow to become comfortable in their own skin and mind. An effective addiction treatment program requires patients to allow vulnerability in and become open to introspectively look within to what has been contributing to their addictive patterns all along. Becoming vulnerable to change requires an essential emphasis on safety and security within the treatment center, especially when there has been a history of discrimination and exclusion for patients trying to overcome addiction.
An informed and inclusive addiction treatment program will treat each patient as an individual. Often when you are placed in a specific group, it takes away from your individuality and what makes you unique. Every person who enters into rehab has their own circumstances that led to your addiction and different factors contributing to your substance use. Addiction treatment is a time for healing and empowerment where patients can understand what has been fuelling their addiction and empower you to look within yourself to determine and be the person in sobriety that you have always wanted to be.
Often when patients can attend an addiction treatment center, they can reconnect with others and take down any barriers of isolation and loneliness through connection with their peers. LGBTQIA+ friendly drug rehab facilities offer inclusive rehab programs to provide patients with the opportunity to connect with fellow patients who have had similar life experiences, including the trials and tribulations of living with a substance use disorder along with a member of the LGBTQ community. There is a significant power and realization for patients when they can connect with others and build a strong foundation of support within a group of others in the recovery community.
While it has been noted that there is a strong connection between mental health and substance use, especially within the LGBTQ community, there is hope for patients to get supported within all facets of their life through a co-occurring disorder treatment program. Patients will work with counselors to better understand their mental health and substance use disorders while learning new coping methods to maintain their sobriety and assist them in overcoming triggers and avoiding relapse.
LGBTQIA+ Friendly Alcohol and Drug Rehab at Muse in Los Angeles
Muse Treatment Center in Los Angeles provides a safe, inclusive space for every patient, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community to heal from the inner wounds of addiction and find peace in a newfound way of life in sobriety. Our compassionate team of men and women understands the courageous step you have taken to get sober and that the road to treatment was not easy. When you arrive at our LGBTQIA+ friendly drug rehab facilities, our caring team will be alongside you, supporting you every step of the way to finally heal from the past traumas and emotional pains that have been linked to your addiction. Through our one-on-one and group therapy sessions, you will understand how your thoughts and feelings have impacted your ability to remain sober while honoring the path you have gone down throughout your journey in addiction, including any discrimination or biases you have experienced. Your safety and comfortability are our top priority which is why our counselors ensure the culture within our rehab center and therapeutic sessions are open, nonjudgemental, and inclusive. Your story matters, and our team wants to get to know you and help you with your healing journey every step of the way. Reach out to us today at (800) 426-1818 to learn more about our LGBTQIA+ friendly drug rehab facilities or couples drug rehab programs.
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source https://musetreatment.com/blog/lgbtqia-friendly-drug-rehab-facilities/
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