Individuals within the LGBTQ+ community face several challenges from discrimination to violence, rejection, and more that can inevitably hurt one’s self-esteem and mental health. Unfortunately, many individuals within the LGBTQ+ community may turn to drugs or alcohol as a means to cope with facing these challenges. While short-term these substances can temporarily relieve these negative feelings, long-term substance abuse can lead to drug dependency and addiction. In this article, we’ll explore why LGBTQ+ substance abuse rates are so high, and steps you can take to find the right addiction treatment for you.
At Outpatient Los Angeles, we offer top-rated outpatient treatment in Los Angeles for recovering addicts to take back their lives for the better. We provide a comfortable, luxurious experience for patients to safely and effectively overcome addiction and progress toward life-long sobriety.
Ready to start your recovery journey? Contact us today!
Why Substance Abuse Rates are Higher in the LGBTQ+ Community?
People within the LGBTQ+ community face minority stress/ certain challenges that heterosexual individuals can not relate to, like discrimination, violence, and rejection because of their sexual orientation. Therefore, these stressors play a significant role in increasing the risk of experiencing certain behavioral health issues more than heterosexual individuals such as increased risk of depression or anxiety.
Because of these increased risks of depression and anxiety, many individuals may turn to drugs or alcohol as a means to cope with their mental disorder symptoms. Although short-term substance abuse may temporarily relieve negative feelings of sadness stemming from potential issues of non-acceptance and discrimination, long-term drug abuse can lead to addiction. This explains why LGBTQ+ substance abuse rates are typically higher among the LGBTQ+ community than individuals who are heterosexual.
How to Find the Right Addiction Treatment For You
If you are struggling with LGBTQ+ substance abuse, you don’t have to suffer in silence! Follow the below tips on how to find the right treatment center for you.
-
LGBTQ+-Friendly Addiction Treatment
First, it’s important to look for a rehab center that offers resources specific to individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, or culturally competent treatment that can help members within the LGBTQ+ community. This may include specializing in certain therapies or having addiction specialists and/or mental health professionals who understand and can relate to you and what you are going through.
-
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Next, try to find rehab centers that offer dual diagnosis treatment, especially if you struggle with both a co-occurring substance and mental disorder. Chances are if you are abusing drugs or alcohol to relieve feelings of depression or anxiety around your identity and sexual orientation, then you likely may have a dual diagnosis.
-
Treats Your Exact Condition
It’s also important to look for a rehab that specializes in treating the condition you are struggling with. For example, if you are struggling with a cocaine addiction, try researching addiction treatment centers that specialize in treating cocaine addiction.
-
Offers the Right Level of Care
Depending on where you are in your addiction recovery journey, you’ll also want to look for a rehab that offers the right level of care for you. For example, if you are just starting your recovery journey, you’ll want to look for a center that offers detoxification treatment services. However, if you are farther along in your recovery journey, you may benefit from outpatient care options. You can also consider receiving treatment from a center that offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment options.
Begin Your Addiction Recovery Journey Today
Individuals within the LGBTQ+ face unique challenges like discrimination which explains the increased risk of struggling with addiction. It’s important to recognize that if you are struggling with addiction, there are resources and addiction treatment options available to best help support you and your recovery journey. You don’t have to suffer in silence with your substance use disorder or try to quit all on your own.
At Outpatient Los Angeles, we are an addiction treatment center that helps patients safely and effectively quit using and maintain long-term sobriety. We understand that no two patients’ recovery journeys are the same. That’s why we offer several outpatient treatment options to best help you along your recovery journey.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction– help is available! Contact us today to take a step toward a better life.