Rehab Centers Designed for LGBTQ+ People

LGBTQ+ individuals face several unique challenges in addition to being at an overall higher risk for developing a substance use disorder or other type of mental health issue, according to a CNN Health survey. For this reason, members of this community can benefit greatly from substance abuse treatment programs that are specialized with their unique needs and challenges in mind.

With an ever-growing need for this type of specialized treatment around the United States, RehabNet.com is working to connect these services with anyone around the United States who needs them.

LGBTQ+ rehab programs are those which are designed to serve members of the LGBTQ community as they struggle with addiction or other mental health issues. These are individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and more.

LGBTQ programs also work to address the specific needs and challenges of this community, such as facing discrimination and stigma. By addressing both substance issues and LGBTQ-specific issues, these specialized rehab programs are able to offer environments that are safe, accepting, and encouraging.

While there are many similarities between general rehab programs and LGBTQ+ focused rehab programs, there are some notable differences, including:

• Both types of programs address substance use disorders but only an LGBTQ-friendly rehab program also explores LGBTQ issues.
• General rehab programs are open to a broad range of people, whereas LGBTQ+ rehab programs are specifically for those who are non-heterosexual.
• Culturally competent care is emphasized in LGBTQ+ rehab programs whereas cultural competency training is not typically required for general rehab programs.

It is possible to find both rehab centers that are entirely for the LGBTQ community, as well as more general rehab centers with specialized programs for groups like veterans, teens, or members of the LGBTQ community.

There are several key issues that members of the LGBTQ community face and for which professional treatment is typically sought.

Research has shown that people who are LGBTQ+ are almost twice as likely as heterosexual individuals to develop a substance abuse disorder at some point in their life.

This may be because they are also more likely to experience issues like discrimination, lack of support, internalized homophobia, and use of alcohol or illicit drugs as a way of escaping painful emotions and situations.

Along with substance abuse disorders, mental health issues are also common in the LGBTQ+ community, as they often face a unique set of challenges that heterosexuals do not experience.

In fact, according to a survey by Mental Health America, around 39% of people in the LGBTQ community report having a mental illness within the past year. This often presents as co-occurring disorders, with which a person suffers from additional mental health disorders in addition to their substance abuse disorder, to the point where treatment is required for both.

People who identify as LGBTQ+ are also significantly more prone to facing discrimination and stigma, which can in turn lead to minority stress. Minority stress can be severe for some and can seriously compromise a person’s mental and physical health, as well as their overall quality of life.

In addition to struggling with sexual orientation, individuals in this position are often struggling with their gender identity as well or may have concerns about how to come out to their loved ones.

Therapists at LGBTQ rehab centers or programs are likely to be trained in such issues, including the proper use of pronouns, and may even address these topics in group therapy settings.

While everyone who enters an LGBTQ+ drug and alcohol rehab program will be given their own individualized treatment plan, there are several components that people can expect to be included.

Individual therapy is crucial because it allows people to work through their issues, including triggers for their substance use or any problems they are experiencing at home. People often feel more comfortable sharing within a one-on-one environment, especially if they are able to build a trusting relationship with a specific therapist or counselor.

Group therapy and peer support groups are also essential in LGBTQ programs because they can create a sense of community and allow individuals to share their experiences. This type of therapy in addiction treatment also often has an educational component, with people learning valuable skills and coping mechanisms like mindfulness.

Though it is not always possible to hold family therapy, especially if family members are unwilling or uncooperative, it can provide numerous benefits to LGBTQ individuals.

Among the many benefits, these types of therapy can help family members understand and support one another, which can also improve communication and reduce family conflict. It can also serve to educate family members about their loved one’s addiction through a type of therapy called psychoeducation.

Support groups that are LGBTQ+ can be helpful both during treatment and as a part of aftercare and ongoing treatment. Peer support groups are similar to group therapy in that they give people the opportunity to share their personal experiences, however, without the guidance of a therapist or counselor.

LGBTQ individuals are welcome to attend regular rehab programs but may be more likely to feel comfortable and understood in a program that is specialized for their community. This can be especially true for those who have been victims of trauma, for which it is especially important to feel safe and respected.

Benefits of LGBTQ+ rehab programs include:

• Provides a safe and affirming environment
• Addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community
• Helps to build a supportive and welcoming community
• Enhances commitment to sobriety and mental health
• Encourages improved relationships and support systems within families

You can usually find a variety of evidence-based treatments in LGBTQ+ treatment centers, along with services that are directed toward this community.

Therapies and treatment options in LGBTQ+ rehab include:

• Medical detox – This service is often used at the very start of rehab, and allows people living with addiction to come off of a substance safely, comfortably, and under medical supervision.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – A type of behavioral therapy that focuses on the relationship between a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and attempts to guide them toward more healthy behaviors.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – Another type of behavioral therapy that teaches skills like mindfulness and emotion regulation, and which is useful in treating substance use disorders as well as self-harm and suicidal ideation behaviors.
• Trauma-focused therapy – A type of therapy that is frequently used in children and adolescents that seeks to understand how a person’s trauma shapes their current status and any symptoms they are experiencing.
• Dual diagnosis therapy – A type of therapy that addresses substance abuse disorders along with co-occurring disorders that a person may have, such as depression or anxiety.
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) – This type of treatment is often used with opioid use disorders and alcohol use disorders and can help people come off of a drug safely over several weeks or months.
• Intensive outpatient programs and partial hospitalization – A level of care that exists for people who need more intensive treatment than regular outpatient treatment but who do not need to stay overnight or attend treatment every day.
• Residential treatment – In this level of care, participants live onsite, usually for between 30 and 90 days, with others who are also in drug or alcohol addiction treatment or mental health treatment.
• Relapse prevention – This type of aftercare support is important after a person completes an alcohol and drug rehab program, to help them stay sober and on track towards their goals.

It is an unfortunate truth that there are several barriers and challenges that members of the LGBTQ+ community experience when seeking care for substance abuse and other mental health conditions.

It is sadly not uncommon for people who are LGBTQ+ to deal with homophobia and transphobia in social environments, but it is less known that these individuals may experience these issues within themselves at the same time.

This is one of the reasons why individual therapy and group therapy are so important in rehab for LGBTQ people, as these internalized feelings can be what lead to substance abuse for some and it is important to address them as a trigger.

Some members of the LGBTQ+ community turn to drugs or alcohol initially as a way of coping with or managing family rejection or a lack of support at home.

Unfortunately, this lack of support can continue while a person is in rehab if their family does not support them during the process or refuses to participate in family therapy. Ideally, patients can build their own support system within their LGBTQ rehab program and even work to bridge the gap with their family members as best as possible with the help of professionals.

Another boundary to care that LGBTQ individuals face is healthcare disparities that can in turn cause mistrust and hesitation in seeking care, for fear of discrimination and mistreatment.

One of the ways that this can be solved is by improving access to culturally competent healthcare providers who are specifically trained to be understanding and compassionate towards all types of patients.

Some LGBTQ+ individuals may be hesitant to seek treatment if they feel that their privacy or confidentiality may be compromised. LGBTQ rehabs can provide a safe space for these individuals where they know that their privacy and rights will be respected by specially trained staff.

You may want to consider multiple treatment facilities when selecting an LGBTQ+ program, and it’s always recommended to visit any facility that interests you in person before making a decision.

When choosing a facility for yourself or a family member, you will want to make sure you look out for certain marks of quality care, including:

• Experience level of staff members
• Whether the facility is nationally accredited
• Whether the facility is licensed by the state
• What kind of special training staff members have
• Whether the facility is positively reviewed and rated
• Whether treatments used are evidence-based

In addition to looking out for features of quality care, you should also have questions prepared when visiting any treatment centers in person. These may include:

• What levels of care do you offer?
• What types of insurance and other payment options do you offer?
• Can I have visitors while in rehab?
• Do your staff members have cultural competency training?
• Can I leave the facility at any time?
• What sort of safety protocols do you have in place?
• Does the facility accept heterosexual patients as well?
• How long is a typical program?
• What treatment services are offered within your program?
• What is the success rate of your program?

Aftercare is a crucial component of any type of addiction treatment program and helps many individuals stay on track while they transition back to their everyday lives.

Types of continuing care programs for LGBTQ+ individuals include:

• Sober living and transitional living homes – These homes provide people with an environment and safe space where they can focus on their goals and live with other sober individuals who have similar goals.
• Outpatient therapy – Many people in recovery find benefit in continuing therapy in an outpatient setting so that they can schedule at their convenience and maintain a certain level of professional support.
• Support meetings – People who have completed recovery may also want to check out support groups in their area, including Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous (GaL-AA) which exists to serve and support members of the LGBTQ community who are seeking guidance under the 12 Steps.

If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community who is looking for an addiction treatment center that offers specialized programs in your area, contact us at RehabNet.com today.

We are always available to answer any questions that you have about alcohol and drug addiction treatment, as well as any questions you have about finding a treatment center that accepts your health insurance.

Achieving long-term recovery is never easy but well worth it for most, and an LGBTQ-friendly program can be just what some individuals need to find sobriety and improve their overall well-being.