Sadly, many who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ+) often face cruel harassment, isolation, discrimination, and even violence in their lives.
Bisexual and transgender individuals often face the additional burden of double discrimination because they’re not fully recognized or supported by society or the lesbian and/or gay communities.
Singly or together, these factors increase the risk of substance abuse.
A number of studies show that members of the LBGTQ+ community are far more likely to have used illicit drugs in the past year than heterosexual individuals (40% vs. 17%), with significantly higher levels of use of prescription and nonprescription stimulants, crystal methamphetamine, prescription opioids, and heroin. Alcohol use disorder is also higher among LBGTQ members (15.1% vs. 7.8%).
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in a recent study on substance use disorder, while addiction treatment options for gay and bisexual men are relatively common, only 7.4 percent of all treatment programs offer specialized services for LGBTQ+ patients.
Aware Recovery Care is one organization that is seeking to address this disparity. We work to provide safe, trauma-informed addiction treatment for anyone identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Many on our team that work with LBGTQ+ clients identify as LGBTQ+ and have experienced the stigma, discrimination, and abuse as members of that community. Many have experienced addiction and are in recovery themselves.
Given the institutional trauma members of the LGBTQ+ community experience when seeking help, Aware Recovery Care works to create a comfortable and safe place for our clients to recover, with their own home serving as the treatment center. In every instance, Aware seeks to connect clients with Certified Recovery Advisors who share lived experiences and can guide clients through their year-long individualized treatment program with skill and understanding.
Whatever your station in life, if you’re struggling with an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs and need help in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, or Indiana, the recovery teams at Aware Recovery Care are here to help. Our unique model of care gives clients a significantly better chance of recovery when compared to traditional inpatient rehab care. To learn more, please get in touch with one of our Recovery Specialists.
