Members of the LGBTQ+ community (people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning) face a unique set of challenges in their daily lives. They often face discrimination, judgement, a lack of acceptance and a range of other challenges that directly affect their overall quality of life. This makes members of this specific community more susceptible to substance abuse and dependence than members of the general population. Because these challenges can be isolating, and because addiction itself is isolating, it is crucial that members of this community have access to demographic-specific recovery resources that will help them with their specific issues. At Guardian IOP, we tailor our treatment programs to meet each individual’s unique needs. We offer demographic-specific groups and our licensed therapists have extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ community members. To learn more about our program of recovery or to learn more about the recovery resources that are available to LGBTQ+ community members, contact us today.

Addiction in the LGBTQ+ Community

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports, “More than a third (37.6 percent) of sexual minority adults 18 and older reported past year marijuana use, compared to 16.2 percent reported by the overall adult population. Past year opioid use (including misuse of prescription opioids or heroin use) was also higher with 9 percent of sexual minority adults aged 18 or older reporting use compared to 3.8 percent among the overall adult population. Additionally, 9 percent of sexual minority adults aged 26 or older reported past year misuse of prescription opioids—an increase from the 6.4 percent who reported misuse in 2017.” This report is only one example of the numerous research studies that have been conducted on the exceptionally high rates of addiction among LGBTQ+ community members.

Challenges Faced by the LGBTQ+ Community:

• Health Disparities – Transgendered people have historically experienced higher rates of discrimination when it comes to receiving adequate healthcare. Members of the LGBTQ+ community face a range of health-related barriers including a lack of sensitivity on behalf of healthcare providers, lower income, a lack of health insurance and a lack of transportation to and from appointments.
• Education Disparities – Early on in life, members of this community are more likely to experience harassment and discrimination in education. According to a study published by the American Psychiatric Association, “About three quarters of LGBTQ students report having been harassed at school; even worse, 35% have experienced physical assault, and 12% have been the victim of sexual violence at school. Harassment and assault, especially when it occurs in what should be a safe and supportive setting, can have serious impacts on mental health such as fear, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”
• Early Trauma – Early trauma can lead to the development of many related issues, including substance abuse, later on in life.
• Workplace Discrimination – Many members of the LGBTQ+ community face institutional discrimination, even when working for companies that claim to be “equal opportunity.” In fact, the unemployment rate of community members is more than twice that of members of the general population.
• General Discrimination – Experiencing discrimination leads to feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem and social isolation, which can all lead to substance abuse.
• Family Rejection – Being rejected by the immediate family does more than cause lasting mental and emotional harm; it can also lead to homelessness, which makes it more difficult to hold down a job and become financially independent.

Addiction Treatment for the LGBTQ+ Community

Members of the LGBTQ+ community face a unique set of challenges throughout their lives which must be thoroughly addressed in addiction treatment. Not only do community members face discrimination and homophobia/transphobia, but many simultaneously deal with more severe familial problems, problems in the workplace, bullying, physical violence and harassment, social isolation, low self-esteem, depression, suicidal ideation and self-harm. It is important that all underlying issues are addressed in the recovery process. At Guardian IOP we believe in the importance of providing focused care during every stage of the recovery process.

Recovery Resources for LGBTQ+ Community Members

There are many recovery resources available for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

LGBTQ+ National Recovery Resources:

• Gay & Sober 12 Step meeting list – This list includes in-person and virtual 12-Step meetings so that you can participate from anywhere in the country.
• An informational pamphlet on LGBTQ+ members of Alcoholics Anonymous – There is an exclusively LGBTQ+ 12-Step meeting at many meeting houses across the country (there are definitely numerous options in Southern Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, Colorado and New Jersey, where GRN’s facilities are located).
• Gay Center’s LGBTQ+ friendly AA meetings list – The Gay Center is a nonprofit that provides resources for the LGBTQ+ community
• If you need mental health support you can call Trevor’s Project for suicide prevention or crisis intervention at: (866) 488-7386.
• The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline can be reached at: (888) 843-4564.
• The GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25) can be reached at: (800) 246-7743.
• The Trans Lifeline can be reached at: (877) 565-8860.

Florida & New Jersey Resources:

Guardian IOP has three locations – one in South Florida and two in New Jersey.

Florida

• Find a range of mental health and addiction services for the LGBTQ+ Community in Florida at NAMI
• Find another comprehensive list of resources through Florida Association of Community Health Centers

New Jersey

• Find mental health services for LGBTQ+ community members through New Jersey’s state resource guide

Begin Your Recovery Journey Today

At Guardian IOP we understand how difficult it can be for members of the LGBTQ+ community to reach out for the help they need. Not only is addiction an extremely isolating disease, but the experiences individuals in the LGBTQ+ community have gone through might make it difficult to trust other people. Rest assured that no matter what you have gone through, we are readily available to help in any way we can. Our program of recovery offers demographic-specific services so that you are able to meet and heal alongside like-minded people. To learn more about Guardian IOP and the demographic-specific services we provide, contact us today.