The realm of gay and lesbians and substance abuse is not a new topic. Most people think of gay and lesbians as the sole members in a community of alternative sexual orientations. However, the group has grown over the past years to include transsexual and bisexual individuals. Therefore, the name of the gay and lesbian community has changed into the acronym, LGBT. To the dismay of family members, friends, and loved ones, substance abuse rates appear to increase in the LGBT community. However, gay and lesbian rehab facilities offer the chance to win the battle with addiction for millions of people within the LGBT community.
Substance Abuse Within the LGBT Community
The Centers for Disease Control indicates that some of the increased risk is believed to be attributable in increased discrimination, homophobia, and violence that has occurred as a result of the given sexual orientation. However, the basic principles of addiction remain the same for members of the LGBT community. To understand how substance abuse affects gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals, you need only look at how gay and lesbian adolescents must deal with their sexual orientation.
Adolescents
The issues at the heart of environmental influences on LGBT adolescents are closely related to the same factors responsible for influencing substance abuse in adults. In fact, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 19% to 29% of gay and lesbian students experienced a form of dating violence within the previous year. Unfortunately, a history of violence is one of the most common risk factors for addiction identified by the Mayo Clinic.
The lack of coping skills in adolescence also plays a role in the decision of LGBT youth to engage in drug or alcohol abuse according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. LGBT youth tend to identify their sexual orientation between ages 15 and 16, but their lack of life experiences has not afforded them the coping skills that older members of the LGBT community have developed to combat the continuous stressors of being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Furthermore, transgender youth may be at the greatest risk for antigay violence, which destroys self-confidence and increases the likelihood of substance abuse.
Causes of Substance Abuse
According to the Mayo Clinic, the predominant causes for substance abuse include both environmental and genetic factors. A person’s environment contributes to how he or she behaves in response to stressors. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to becoming an addict more quickly than others. According to the CDC, gay and bisexual men, lesbians, and transgender individuals have an increased risk of substance abuse and higher rates of substance abuse. Furthermore, they are more likely to engage in alcohol and drug abuse and become involved in heavy drinking.
Who Received Treatment
Since many members of the LGBT community do not identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender for fear of retaliation, violence, or rejection, the exact statistics regarding the number of LGBT people who abuse substances is not known. However, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that only 9% of those with a substance abuse disorder obtained the treatment they needed. With this in mind, we can determine that the rate for the number of gay and lesbians who do not receive treatment is approximately 90%. In addition, some studies, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, have found that up to 30% of all lesbians suffer from alcohol abuse.
Rehabs for Gay & Lesbian
Rehabs for gay and lesbians are designed to provide a safe, controlled environment that will allow each person to open up to his or her own trials in life and grapple the beast of addiction. In addition, these rehab centers may operate on an outpatient or inpatient basis. The severity of the addiction and type of addiction can help you determine how long or what type of treatment facility you may need. It’s also important to note if the person seeking treatment has suffered any trauma. There are rehabs designed to treat trauma, including sexual abuse rehabilitation centers.
Gay Rehabs
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, several key clinical issues affect members of the LGBT community when receiving treatment for a substance abuse problem. Counselors must thoroughly assess each person’s unique situation and experiences, which may have contributed to the current state of addiction. Ensuring relapse prevention following discharge becomes more challenging due to the many legal restrictions and stressors experienced by members of the LGBT community. Moreover, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that many gay men will return to a highly-energetic, party-like atmosphere; however, lesbians tend to not be as involved in the party scene.
Gay Rehab Centers
A gay rehab center may cater to one gender exclusively, or it may offer services to all members of the LGBT community. During initial treatment at a gay rehab center, the person suffering from substance abuse will undergo a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation to determine if any other conditions will affect the course of treatment. For example, the incidence rates of HIV transmission remain the highest amongst gay and bisexual men according to the CDC, and African American gay and bisexual men are the most common demographic affected by HIV. Specifically, the rate of new infections among African American gay and bisexual men rose 12% from 2008 to 2010. Overall, the rate of infection among gay and bisexual men stood at 18% in 2011. In addition, it must be noted that risky behaviors, such as sharing needles or unsafe sexual practices, can also lead to HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Finding Help for Substance Abuse Issues as a Member of the LGBT Community
The obvious rise in substance abuse and HIV infection rates represent a growing need for rehab facilities for the members of the LGBT community. Since everyone in the LGBT community knows the enduring struggle we all face, we should not have to suffer at the hands of addiction as well.
Rehab Reviews has the world’s largest collection of resources for attaining assistance in dealing with addiction issues, including the problems that accompany substance abuse and differing sexual orientations. If you or a loved one needs help for addiction, please visit one of our comprehensive directories to locate a treatment center near you. If you have insurance, you may qualify for coverage of rehab through your insurance carrier. Fill out our easy-to-use insurance eligibility form, and we can look to see what services may be covered under your current plan. LGBT youth and adults have enough stressors to face without worrying about the pressures and difficulties brought on by substance abuse.
[Source: cdc.gov, cdc.gov, MayoClinic, SAMHSA, MayoClinic, SAMHSA, cdc.gov]