Where Do I Find a Gay Drug Rehab?
January 6, 2008
I recently received a call from a man who was interested in locating a gay drug rehab. He and his partner were planning a wedding and thought it would be a good idea to get clean and sober before going any further with their lives. After a few weeks in a gay drug rehab and, they agreed that the work they accomplished benefited them as a couple and as individuals. They felt ready to begin the next chapter in their lives.
I offer this example because it is so different from what I usually see. In my intervention work I have found—whether they are lesbian, gay, or straight—that very few people in a relationship with a drug addiction or alcohol addiction seek addiction treatment prior to getting married. Most continue with their drug addiction and alcoholism in denial and hoping things will get better. Needless to say, things rarely get better as the drug addiction or alcoholism becomes more progressive.
It is difficult to move forward in any relationship when drug addiction or alcoholism are present as communication begins to break down, drug use becomes the priority and depression, anger and resentment are all common place.
Why So Few Gay Drug Rehab Programs in Texas
January 5, 2008
When a person thinks of the state of Texas, they think big everything. Unfortunately one thing they are not big on is inpatient addiction treatment for the GLBT population. In cites such as Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston or Abilene, there is a growing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population. As with any population growth comes a need for certain healthcare services, in this case, we are speaking of gay friendly addiction treatment or gay friendly drug rehab programs in Texas.
Can’t Gay Men and Lesbians Go to Existing Drug Rehab Programs in Texas?
The answer is yes they can. For gay men and women who are secure in their sexuality, sexual preference and the issues that surround them such as internalized homophobia, homophobia, coming out and others, then any drug rehab, alcohol rehab or addiction treatment program may suffice. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case. Most drug rehabs or alcohol rehab programs are not gay friendly, which means having the addiction treatment services and addiction treatment staff necessary to address the issues mentioned above. Without a gay friendly environment or gay friendly addiction treatment staff, the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender will probably experience attitudes similar to that of discrimination, prejudice and feelings of being judged.
Gay Drug Rehab Programs in Illinois
January 5, 2008
Drug Rehab programs and alcohol rehab programs have been available for the heterosexual community in Illinois for the last 25 years. The drug rehabs in Illinois have been of high quality and both inpatient and outpatient drug addiction treatment. There has been drug rehab programs for almost any kind of drug addiction or alcohol addiction. You can find drug rehab programs for the elderly, adolescent, men or women, but the GLBT population (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) seems to have been forgotten. Where do the GLBT go where they can receive drug rehab treatment without being judged?
Gay Addiction Treatment History Historically, the GLBT community suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism, were expected to fit into primarily heterosexual drug rehab or alcohol rehab programs. Can you imagine being heterosexual and being asked to fit into a gay drug rehab program or gay alcohol rehab program. What do you think your drug rehab experience would be like?
Gay Addiction Treatment, HIV and Crystal Meth
December 25, 2007
Health experts and policymakers are searching for ways to release crystal meth’s stranglehold on Long Beach and urban and rural communities across the map.Some say the solution requires more collaboration among addiction treatment providers of substance abuse and HIV prevention. Some contend it lies in addiction treatment designed specifically to serve gay men.
One of the first legislative targets: expanding a California law that prohibits any retailer from selling a customer more than three packages of products, like many common cold medicines, containing pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in crystal meth.
The bill, which cleared the Senate judiciary committee July 28, would put cold pills containing pseudoephedrine behind the pharmacy counter and restrict the amount a person can buy to 7.5 grams a month.
Various health agencies in Long Beach have programs to tackle crystal meth addiction and its link to HIV and other STDs. The Comprehensive AIDS Resource Education (CARE) program at St. Mary Medical Center and the Gay and Lesbian Center have gay addiction treatment counseling services for addicts.
Merrill L. Irving, director of addiction treatment programs at the Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Center, has teamed up with city activist John Kirby and HIV specialist Todd Stevens to design a task force that he hopes will do just that. The group would address the problem of gay crystal meth addiction in Long Beach’s gay community.
“I know the statistics and know how closely tied (crystal meth) is to HIV and the gay community” Irving said. “There’s a gap within our own programs.
Gay, Lesbian Issues in Drug Rehab
November 30, 2007
Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Issues in Behavioral/Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs
It is essential that gay addiction treatment and gay drug rehab programs maintain a high level of sensitivity toward the unique needs of special populations, including those of gay, lesbian, and transgendered clients. For example, the alcohol and drug rehab program must appreciate the impact of issues such as societal prejudice toward the client’s lifestyle when partnering in recovery.
Promoting Risk Reduction
Other issues to be addressed in gay addiction treatment and gay drug rehab program should include a full range of educating on risk behaviors in drug rehab (as appropriate), including syringe sharing and unsafe sex, as well as instruction on and linkage to advocacy resources and screening services.
Gay Alcohol Treatment
October 12, 2007
Gay bishop is treated for alcoholism
Anne Saunders, Associated Press
published Tuesday, February 14, 2006
CONCORD, N.H. — The Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson, has started treatment for alcoholism.
“I am writing to you from an alcohol treatment center where on Feb. 1, with the encouragement and support of my partner, daughters and colleagues, I checked myself in to deal with my increasing dependence on alcohol,” Robinson wrote in an e-mail to clergy on Monday that was released Tuesday by the Diocese of New Hampshire.
Robinson’s assistant, the Rev. Tim Rich, said Tuesday there was no crisis that led to Robinson’s decision to seek treatment but rather a growing awareness of his problem.
Support for your Gay Drug Rehab
October 12, 2007
I am glad to see someone is taking such an interest in the gay, lesbian community, especially as it relates to addiction treatment in the gay community. For so long addiction treatment for the gay community has been on the back burner and drug rehab facilities never recognized any special needs we might have had. A gay addiction treatment program is awesome and any motivation you can give to any other drug rehabs to become sensitive to the gay lesbian population, I totally support.
Gay Addiction Treatment
October 12, 2007
Imagine a Heterosexual in a Gay Addiction Treatment Program
When you question the need for a gay drug rehab or gay addiction treatment program, one might aske themselves a question, How well do you think a heterosexual would do in an all gay drug rehab or alcohol treatment program. Do you think they might feel uncomfortable, out of place, scared, judged or feel safe? Do you think they would be focused on addiction treatment or thinking of leaving the drug rehab? Do you think they might resist being honest and set themselves up for relapse? I think it is fair to say that as uncomfortable as a straight person might feel in a gay addiction treatment program, the gay or lesbian would feel in a heterosexual addiction treatment program.
Gay Drug Rehab
October 12, 2007
Being a gay man that was in a drug rehab years ago, it was difficult. I felt like people were always judging me and tha I relly didn’t fit in. I kicked up all of my anger and shame from years of ridicule and abuse. Starting a gay addiction treatment program will make the difference in the lives of so many gay, lesbian and bisexual addicts and alcoholics seeking addiction and alcohol treatment. They will feel safer and trust quicker. A gay drug rehab is long overdue and I am glad my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters will have a place like this to go.
Gay Addiction Treatment vs. Heterosexual Addiction Treatment
October 12, 2007
Gay Addiction Treatment Program: It’s About Time
As addiction treatment programs have sprung up across the country, there has been a focus on many different substance abuse populations. We have numerous eating disorder programs for women, countless drug rehab programs for men, sex addiction and sexual trauma programs for both men and women, but what about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population. Where do they seek drug/alcohol treatment? Why are they continually expected to fit into the same “addiction treatment model” (heterosexual) that resembles the life model which created so much shame for them. Some would suggest they fit into a same sex addiction treatment center, which is generally nothing more than a set up for relapse.
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