LGBT Drug & Alcohol Rehab

According to the journal Addiction, members of the LGBT community are at a higher risk of drug and alcohol addiction than the general population. Reasons for this increased risk include discrimination and marginalization as a minority group. As a result of these reasons, members of the LGBT community face barriers to LGBT alcohol rehab and drug treatment that do not affect non-LGBT people.

Therefore, the LGBT community needs treatment centers that help them feel safe, secure, and welcomed. At Detox West Tennessee, we provide compassionate, expert-led, targeted treatment for LGBT people who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction in the LGBT Community

Research on addiction among members of the LGBT community is relatively new. Recently, however, it has become more common and accepted to live openly with one’s sexuality. Still, here at Detox West Tennessee, we recognize and understand that LGBT people face discrimination and exclusion, despite many social and mental health activists’ efforts to combat these issues.

Current research highlights a significant prevalence of substance abuse in the LGBT community. Additionally, problems co-occur with substance abuse, including mental health issues, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Because of this, LGBT-friendly substance abuse and co-occurring mental health treatment are needed to address these problems.

Why are Addiction Rates High in the LGBT Community?

One reason addiction rates are high in the LGBT community is that many are reluctant to seek treatment. Furthermore, there is a negative social stigma that surrounds non-heterosexuality. Therefore, an LGBT person struggling with substance use may fear judgment not only from their peers but from staff members at treatment centers.

Treatment providers need to be aware of the unique issues among LGBT members, including:

• Increased risk of violence and trauma
• Discrimination at work
• Difficulty finding secure housing
• Limited access to public accommodations
• Inadequate or no insurance coverage
• Lack of social support or help from families

LGBT individuals often face discrimination and rejection in their communities. Furthermore, many LGBT people are in fact marginalized by their own families. Therefore, healthcare settings must consider how this impacts one’s mental health, and why members of the LGBT community struggle to trust treatment providers.

Mental Health and Minority Stress in the LGBT Community

A person’s mental health history is a core aspect of any treatment program. For this reason, before treatment, LGBT clients undergo a medical and psychological assessment. If treatment providers don’t consider one’s sexuality and history, for example, they will miss a significant causal factor for mental health issues known as “minority stress.”

Minority stress can lead to issues like:

• Desire to conceal one’s identity
• Expectation of rejection
• Internalized homo/transphobia

In turn, minority stress can lead to a higher incidence of mental health problems in the LGBT community such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Emotional disorders
• Substance use disorder
• Lower levels of self-care
• Increased rates of suicide

Additionally, the goals of LGBT-focused addiction treatment are to:

• Stop the use of substances
• Promote effective self-management
• Encourage resilience
• Learn self-acceptance

For the LGBT community, these goals require compassionate medical and psychological services. When provided with unbiased care, the result is less psychological comorbidity and improved quality of life.

According to the journal Addiction, members of the LGBT community are at a higher risk of drug and alcohol addiction than the general population. Reasons for this increased risk include discrimination and marginalization as a minority group. As a result of these reasons, members of the LGBT community face barriers to LGBT alcohol rehab and drug treatment that do not affect non-LGBT people.

Therefore, the LGBT community needs treatment centers that help them feel safe, secure, and welcomed. At Detox West Tennessee, we provide compassionate, expert-led, targeted treatment for LGBT people who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction in the LGBT Community

Research on addiction among members of the LGBT community is relatively new. Recently, however, it has become more common and accepted to live openly with one’s sexuality. Still, here at Detox West Tennessee, we recognize and understand that LGBT people face discrimination and exclusion, despite many social and mental health activists’ efforts to combat these issues.

Current research highlights a significant prevalence of substance abuse in the LGBT community. Additionally, problems co-occur with substance abuse, including mental health issues, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Because of this, LGBT-friendly substance abuse and co-occurring mental health treatment are needed to address these problems.

Why are Addiction Rates High in the LGBT Community?

One reason addiction rates are high in the LGBT community is that many are reluctant to seek treatment. Furthermore, there is a negative social stigma that surrounds non-heterosexuality. Therefore, an LGBT person struggling with substance use may fear judgment not only from their peers but from staff members at treatment centers.

Treatment providers need to be aware of the unique issues among LGBT members, including:

• Increased risk of violence and trauma
• Discrimination at work
• Difficulty finding secure housing
• Limited access to public accommodations
• Inadequate or no insurance coverage
• Lack of social support or help from families

LGBT individuals often face discrimination and rejection in their communities. Furthermore, many LGBT people are in fact marginalized by their own families. Therefore, healthcare settings must consider how this impacts one’s mental health, and why members of the LGBT community struggle to trust treatment providers.

Mental Health and Minority Stress in the LGBT Community

A person’s mental health history is a core aspect of any treatment program. For this reason, before treatment, LGBT clients undergo a medical and psychological assessment. If treatment providers don’t consider one’s sexuality and history, for example, they will miss a significant causal factor for mental health issues known as “minority stress.”

Minority stress can lead to issues like:

• Desire to conceal one’s identity
• Expectation of rejection
• Internalized homo/transphobia

In turn, minority stress can lead to a higher incidence of mental health problems in the LGBT community such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Emotional disorders
• Substance use disorder
• Lower levels of self-care
• Increased rates of suicide

Additionally, the goals of LGBT-focused addiction treatment are to:

• Stop the use of substances
• Promote effective self-management
• Encourage resilience
• Learn self-acceptance

For the LGBT community, these goals require compassionate medical and psychological services. When provided with unbiased care, the result is less psychological comorbidity and improved quality of life.

LGBT Alcohol Rehab and Drug Treatment

Treatment programs that suit the needs of the LGBT community are safe and non-judgmental. Therefore, we create a compassionate space for LGBT people to receive the care they need. A client’s sexuality or gender should not compromise the quality of care and a providers’ compassion. Addiction, detox, and recovery are challenging without additional stressors from stigma or discrimination. The process does not need to be more difficult due to bias against LGBT individuals.

At Detox West Tennessee, we do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. Furthermore, we aim to provide a safe and compassionate space for all our clients. We support LGBT clients in achieving their recovery goals. Staff members who lead our LGBT-specific treatment programs are trained professionals. Thus, they can demonstrate expert knowledge of the LGBT community’s specific needs in healthcare and recovery.

LGBT Addiction Recovery Program Components

LGBT addiction recovery programs focus on specific components to meet the needs of LGBT clients. All staff members need to be trained on the unique challenges of the LGBT community.

LGBT-Specific Group Support

Many members of the LGBT community seeking treatment find comfort in group settings with other members of the LGBT community. They can share stories, and understand and empathize with experiences within the group. Furthermore, there is also less fear of judgment and less LGBT-phobic attitudes within these support groups.

Detox and Withdrawal Symptoms

First, each LGBT alcohol rehab and drug treatment program begins with a medically supervised detoxification program or “detox.” Detox is necessary for clients to break the physical hold that substances can have. Medically supervised detox also reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms with access to professionals throughout the process.

Withdrawal symptoms arise after quitting drugs or alcohol and are one of the main reasons LGBT clients relapse when trying to detox without help. Typically, these symptoms can range from mild to severe. Addicted individuals unfortunately sometimes forego their recovery efforts and use substances again to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

LGBT Alcohol Rehab and Drug Treatment Options

Depending on the substance of addiction, there are different options for rehab and treatment for members of the LGBT community. For example, treatment programs at Detox West Tennessee use various therapeutic modalities. As such, we provide the most comprehensive care for LGBT clients. Available therapeutic services include individual, group, and family therapy and experiential therapies.

LGBT-Specific Therapeutic Topics

Feelings of fear, shame, and guilt are prevalent among members of the LGBT community in addiction treatment programs. Nevertheless, at Detox West Tennessee, we aim to help clients overcome these feelings. To support this, we offer compassionate and unbiased discussions around the topics of sexuality and identity.

During treatment, we also discuss:

• Importance of identity and community
• Mental health treatment in marginalized communities
• Impact of shame and guilt on mental and behavioral health
• Experience of coming out to friends and family
• Sexuality and identity issues in the workplace
• Domestic violence in the LGBT community
• Healthy communication skills
• Building relationships and connections
• Social life and sobriety

LGBT-Specific Addiction Treatment in Memphis, Tennessee

Addiction does not discriminate, and neither do we. Therefore, at Detox West Tennessee, we treat clients of all sexual and gender identities. We offer an LGBT-specific treatment program here in Memphis, Tennessee because we understand this marginalized group’s specific needs regarding receiving adequate health care. When you or a loved one comes to us for help, we accept you with understanding and compassion.

Reaching out for help can be challenging for members of the LGBT community due to past experiences with discrimination. If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, reach out to us today or visit our admissions page. We are here to provide compassionate support to members of the LGBT community and all others struggling with addiction.