Members of the Gay and Lesbian community face a number of challenges in their daily lives.  Despite the fact that we are living in the 21st century, there are still a considerable number of people who would seek to make the lives of the GLBT community difficult.  

When one of these men or women is suffering from a drug addiction, things become that much more complicated.   LGBT drug rehab centers help provide addiction treatment and care in a safe environment where gay, lesbian, bisexual or transsexual patients can focus on their recovery without fear of discrimination as a result of their sexuality.

What Happens During Gay and Lesbian Drug Treatment?

At their core, LGBT drug rehab programs are quite similar to those designed to help members of the “straight” world.  There are three core components that make up the lion’s share of these treatment programs:  detox, counseling and aftercare.

Detox. Drug detoxification is the process that allows the individual to cleanse harmful drug toxins out of their system.   During detox, the individual may experience a number of withdrawal symptoms that can lead to relapse if not monitored.

Counseling. Individual, group and family counseling all help the individual better understand the root causes of his or her addiction.   These sessions teach the individual how to respond more positively to the triggers that lead to addictive behavior.

Aftercare.   Aftercare programs such as 12-step group meetings are a way for the individual to make a smooth transition to life after treatment.  They help provide support and insure that the individual puts the lessons of rehab into practice.

It is worth noting that group addiction treatment counseling at LGBT drug rehab often focuses on issues pertaining to sexual identity – especially in those cases where fear or shame about “coming out” have led the individual to begin using drugs habitually.

Who Gets Treated at LGBT Rehab Programs? 

LGBT drug rehab programs are open to all men and women who live “alternative” lifestyles, including:

Gay men

Lesbian women

Bisexual men and women

Transsexual and transgender men and women

The object of LGBT rehab is to help provide a safe place to heal, where gender and sexual identity are not at issue – and the individual can focus more purely on overcoming addiction.   Statistics show that these specific types of programs are more effective at treating the many gay and lesbian women suffering from addiction.

What Addiction are Treated at LGBT Programs?

There are a number of different addictions and substance abuse problems treated at LGBT rehab programs, including: 

Vicodin addiction

OxyContin addiction

Marijuana abuse and addiction

Alcoholism

Cocaine addiction

Crystal meth addiction

Ecstasy addiction and party drug abuse

Several of these addiction issues are of special importance to the LGBT community.  Lesbian women have a higher rate of alcoholism than many other sectors of the population.  Gay men who are involved in the heavy party scene tend to abuse crystal meth, cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy at higher-than-normal rates as well.  Finally, transgender men and women who are struggling with their identity may turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of numbing their psychological pain.

The Important of LGBT Addiction Treatment

LGBT men and women make up a small percentage of the population, but they are often under fire from government and religious groups.   These offensives leave an indelible mark on the individual – scars that often lead many to drug addiction.    Even more potentially damaging is a lack of understanding from one’s own family.  In these cases, many men and women are cast out of their own – left on their own to deal with confusion and concerns about sexual identity.

LGBT drug rehab programs help these individuals come to terms with their addiction as well as their sexual identity.  The caring professionals at these programs help build self-esteem so that the triggers that once led to substance abuse can now be channeled into a happier, more fulfilling life.