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.
Gay Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Florida
January 6, 2008
Florida’s gay and lesbian population is growing daily and with it is a growing need for gay and lesbian services. For the purpose of this article we are concerned with gay drug rehab, gay dual diagnosis and gay alcohol rehab services. Regardless of where a person is from, they bring their personal history with them. In the case of the gay and lesbian, the personal histories of which I speak are related to prejudice, discrimination, internalized hompohobia and shame. Growing up gay and having to deal with the attitudes of the general public and family, have led many gay and lesbians to the world of drug addiction and alcoholism. Unfortunately, what happens is the attitudes of the heterosexual population become worse as the gay man or woman becomes drug dependent and their ability to cope with their feelings diminish even more.
Florida Gay Alcohol Rehab
Now imagine that we ask a gay or lesbian to check into an alcohol rehab run by a group of heterosexual men and women. It is like asking an anorexic to check into an addiction treatment program for compusive overeaters. This could be their worst nightmare. Don’t misunderstand me, this doesn’t mean that the alcohol rehab has to be run by all gay men and women. That is not the real world. The alcohol rehab must, as a minimum, have a gay alcohol rehab component, within the alcohol rehab itself. This will provide the gay or lesbian with a “safe space” in which to express their feelings and thoughts without thinking they are being judged. Their are many other clinical benefits derived from a gay alcohol rehab run in this fashion, such as being able to eal with internalized homophobia, but it also allow for the heterosexual to deal with their own homophobia. Everybody wins!
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?
Young Gays Are More Likely To Take Drugs
December 30, 2007
New York City) Two new studies suggest that the use of so-called party drugs is more prevalent among young gay men than their straight counterparts.
The first study was of 3,492 men aged between 15 and 22 who had sex with other men. It found that almost one in three used substances such as crystal meth, ecstasy, marijuana or cocaine at least once a week. A further two-thirds had used drugs during the previous six months.
The lifetime use of cocaine among gay men was nearly double the level among heterosexuals.
“Effective gay drug addiction prevention and gay drug rehab programs … are urgently needed for young men who have sex with men, a population with a high rate of illicit drug use,” the report concludes.
The results of the four year study appear in the American Journal of Public Health.
The second study was done in the UK and examined the mental health and social well being of more than 2,200 gay men, lesbians, heterosexuals and bisexuals in England and Wales.
The report, published in Mind, said: “Levels of substance-use disorders were higher among gay men and lesbians, who were more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to have used recreational drugs.”
The research backs up suspicions that LGBT healthcare workers have had for a number of years. Previous research studies have shown a link between the use of party drugs and unsafe sex (story).
All About Gay Drug Rehab and Gay Alcohol Rehab
December 30, 2007
What happens in gay drug rehab or gay alcohol rehab?
Due to the progressive nature of drug addiction and alcohol addiction, detox and drug rehab should take place as soon as possible. Drug rehab is never an easy process. GLBT patients must come face to face with a part of their life they are probably not proud of. They must learn new methods of dealing with stress to replace the old methods that included drugs or alcohol. They must cope with cravings and deal with many different aspects of their life in new, healthier ways.
Many gay patients participate in gay support groups or 12-step programs for an indefinite amount of time to help prevent relapse. Some learn new skills so they will be able to get (and keep) a job and return to the community. Drug rehab can be difficult, but it is worth it to achieve a life free of drug and alcohol dependence. Please call 1-800-511-9225, a national drug rehab helpline to take the first step. Read more
Drug Addiction and Women
December 25, 2007
How many girls and women have a substance abuse problem in the U.S.?
Approximately 6 million girls and women abuse or are addicted to alcohol in the U.S. – and 15 million use illicit drugs and misuse prescription drugs. Nearly 32 million smoke cigarettes. More than 50% of American women between the ages of 18 and 25 have used illicit drugs at least once in their lives.
What percent of women who need treatment for alcohol abuse and drug addiction do not receive it?
An astounding 92 percent do not receive it because quite often stigma, shame, and ignorance hide the problem. Only one in three substance abusers in treatment is a woman. Approximately 1.5 million people in publicly funded substance abuse treatment - almost 1/3 are women. Once finally admitted - women spend less time in addiction treatment than men.
Most Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Program Services are Ineffective for the GLBT Population
December 19, 2007
Why Most Drug Rehab and /Alcohol Treatment Program Services are Ineffective for the GLBT Population
Most drug rehab services, including alcohol treatment programs, are geared towards serving a white, heterosexual, male, clientel. Unless great effort has been put into awareness training, developing knowledge about the experiences and circumstances of minority groups, and the establishment of programmes to deal with the special needs of different groups of oppressed people, services will simply perpetuate institutional discrimination. U.S. researchers Lohrenz et al (1978) found that 37% of homosexuals experienced discrimination from alcohol treatment program staff while Fifield, De Crescenzo & Latham (1975) discovered that 75% of homosexuals who are recovering from alcoholism believe that mainstream drug rehab and alcohol rehab program are not geared to treating homosexuals and do not provide an accepting and supportive environment.
Because of discrimination homosexuals are less likely to attend alcohol treatment program and drug addiction treatment programs unless, that is, they are ‘passing.’ In this case, if the worker does not bring up the subject, one of the major causes of their problems will be ignored. Rofes (1989) says:
By ignoring the special problems that a lesbian alcoholic, for example, presents, an alcohol treatment program will be doing a service to no one. Their alcoholism treatment of the individual will be less than adequate and may tend to intensify the woman’s feelings of isolation and ‘difference.’ Only by bringing the issue into the open and addressing the woman’s lesbianism as an aspect of her life which she needs to feel positively about, will the program be truly effective.
Drug Rehab; A Catch all Phrase
December 1, 2007
Drug rehab, or rehab is “industry slang” for drug rehabilitation. It is the “catch-all” term used for any treatment of chemical dependency, including alcoholism, cocaine, heroin, “manufactured” drugs, such as methamphetamine (also referred to crystal meth or meth), MDMA (Ecstasy), and prescription pills.
Rehab may also be used for treatment of nicotine addiction (smoking). A drug rehab center is the facility where groups of people are treated for chemical dependency or substance abuse.
Most drug rehabs attempt to treat not only physical substance dependency, but also include addiction treatment, or drug rehab, for psychological substance dependency.
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.
Comments
Contact Us