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Gay, Lesbian Needs for Substance Abuse Treatment

People who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) represent a substantial minority of the U.S. population, yet pervasive prejudice and stigma often inhibit the development and provision of appropriate drug rehab and dual diagnosis services for them. This article provides basic information regarding common drug rehab and dual diagnosis concerns of GLBT persons to aid in the development of culturally competent mental health services.

Gay, Lesbian Substance Abuse Issues Research findings vary on rates of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction and drug abuse among lesbians and gay men, but experts maintain that drug and alcohol abuse are significant health and mental health concerns for sexual minorities. One study found that lesbians and gay men were twice as likely to be moderate drinkers, but about equally as likely to be heavy drinkers, as heterosexuals. Experts note the likelihood of a link between internalized homophobia, low self-esteem, ongoing discrimination and alcohol abuse and drug abuse. GLBT who seek addiction treatment for substance abuse problems may encounter barriers to addiction treatment in unsupportive service settings. This is the reason for the need of gay friendly drug rehab programs and gay friendly alcohol rehab programs.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcohol abuse, alcohol rehab, alcohol rehab program, alcoholism, drug abuse, drug addiction, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, dual diagnosis, gay rehab, mental health, recovery, rehab, rehab programs, substance abuse, substance abuse problems, treatment

Where Do I Find a Gay Drug Rehab?

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.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment program, alcohol addiction, alcohol rehab, alcoholism, depression, drug addiction, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehabs, family recovery, family recovery program, family therapist, gay addiction treatment, gay drug rehab, gay rehab, intervention, recovery, rehab, rehabs, therapy, treatment

Gay Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Florida

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!

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment program, alcohol rehab, alcoholism, drug addiction, drug rehab, dual diagnosis, florida, gay drug rehab, gay rehab, rehab, treatment

Gay Alcohol Abuse and Gay Alcohol Dependency

Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Gay alcohol abuse and gay drug addiction is a problem for far too many gay Americans. Whether it is inherited or society related, drug addiction and gay alcohol addiction cause tremendous damage to those people that come in contact with the drug addict or alcoholic. Fortunately, there are gay alcohol rehab programs and drug rehab centers across the country that assist addicts, alcoholics and their families with the process of alcoholism treatment and drug addiction treatment.

Different Gay Alcohol Rehab Approaches

Different gay alcohol rehabs and drug rehab programs take different approaches, but the philosophy is usually the same – if you are suffering from alcohol abuse and can not manage to control your drinking, you are probably alcoholic.
Most quality alcohol rehab programs use medications to help the alcoholic and addict manage their alcohol withdrawal or drug withdrawal. Alcohol detox generally takes between five and seven days, depending on how much alcohol you were drinking, how frequent and a variety of other factors. Alcohol detox should take place in a medically monitored alcohol detox unit, within the alcohol rehab program.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, alcohol detox, alcohol rehab, alcohol rehab program, alcohol rehabs, alcohol treatment, alcohol treatment program, alcohol withdrawal, alcoholic, alcoholism, alcoholism treatment, centers, detox, detox program, drug addiction, drug addiction treatment, drug rehab, drug rehab center, drug rehab centers, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, drug withdrawal, family recovery, family recovery program, gay rehab, recovery, rehab, rehab center, rehab centers, rehab programs, rehabs, treatment

Why So Few Gay Drug Rehab Programs in Texas

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.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment program, addiction treatment programs, alcohol rehab, alcohol rehab program, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, drug rehabs, gay addiction treatment, gay drug rehab, gay rehab, patient, rehab, rehab programs, rehabs, treatment, treatment services

Gay Drug Rehab Programs in Illinois

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?

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcohol addiction, alcohol rehab, alcohol rehab program, alcohol treatment, alcoholism, centers, clinical services, drug addiction, drug addiction treatment, drug rehab, drug rehab center, drug rehab centers, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, drug rehab treatment, drug rehabs, gay addiction treatment, gay drug rehab, gay rehab, patient, recovery, rehab, rehab center, rehab centers, rehab programs, rehabs, treatment

Possible Reasons for Increased Gay Alcohol Abuse

The difference in alcoholism rates between gay and non-gay populations has been attributed to a number of environmental factors. One factor is that alcohol serves as a method of coping with internal homophobia. Anderson and Henderson (1985) believe that socio-cultural pressure is the most sound explanation as to why alcoholism rates differ between gay and non-gay populations. Overt societal stigmatization of gay men and lesbians can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and powerlessness. As such, alcohol may serve as one way to cope with these negative feelings.

A second reason for increased gay alcohol abuse by gay men and lesbians is the fact that legitimate socialization is often limited to bars or parties serving alcohol. Gay bars promote the use of alcohol in much the same way that nongay bars endorse alcohol use in the heterosexual culture (Israelstam & Lambert, 1984). The major difference between the two, however, is that heterosexuals have a greater range of social outlets from which to choose without fear of recrimination (Colcher, 1982; Finnegan & McNally, 1987).

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment program, alcohol abuse, alcoholism, alcoholism treatment, depression, gay rehab, rehab, treatment

Gay Alcohol Abuse: Do We Make Alcohol Illegal?

Why would anyone want to make alcohol illegal?
To stop gay alcohol abuse.

Why is this a bad idea?
Because it doesn’t work. Alcohol use and abuse alike are simply driven underground, leading to a huge untaxable market and a rise in organized crime as the mobs who control the illegal product gain money and power.

What is a better solution?
Alcohol should be legal, and regulated by states as they see fit. Gay alcohol abuse will be no worse than under prohibition, and crime will go down while tax revenues on the sale of alcohol go up, leading to better communities.

So how can we stop gay alcohol abuse?
Prevention is the real key. The conditions that lead to alcohol abuse should be prevented. Alcohol is fine in moderation, and millions of responsible gay people use it without negative effects on a regular basis. The real problem is when gay or lesbian people don’t know when or how to stop, or don’t want to because they are trying to escape unpleasant lives. Education on alcohol, and more accessible psychological gay counseling for everyone, is the best hope we have for ending gay alcohol abuse.

Tags: alcohol abuse, alcohol rehab, counseling, effects, gay rehab, rehab

Young Gays Are More Likely To Take Drugs

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).

Tags: addiction, addiction prevention, crystal meth, drug addiction, drug rehab, gay drug rehab, gay rehab, lgbt, mental health, recovery, recreation, rehab

All About Gay Drug Rehab and Gay Alcohol Rehab

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.

Tags: addiction, alcohol addiction, alcohol dependence, alcohol rehab, alcohol treatment, counseling, detox, drug addiction, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, gay drug rehab, gay rehab, patient, recovery, rehab, rehab programs, relapse, support groups, therapy, treatment