LGBTQ Addiction Treatment at Banyan Treatment Centers
Individuals in the LGBTQ+ community face many challenges that others simply do not understand. When a member of the LGBTQ+ community is facing challenges with addiction, alcoholism, mental health disorders, or other situations, it’s important to find a facility that offers LGBTQ+ addiction treatment and therapy approaches that are all customized to their comfort and needs.
At Banyan Treatment Centers, our nationwide drug treatment facilities offer supportive treatment for members of this community. We understand the challenges men, women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals in the LGBTQ+ community face. In fact, several of our locations are staffed by doctors, nurses, and treatment professionals who are members of these communities themselves. They understand the difficulties that gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and other individuals within the LGBT community face. All of our addiction treatment centers are sensitive to the treatment and emotional needs of patients in the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ Addiction Treatment
Our Banyan Treatment Centers facilities understand the importance of safe living spaces for members of the LBTQ+ community. We offer support to those needing special living accommodations by matching patients with team members they're comfortable working with at our drug and alcohol rehab for our LGBTQ+ patients.
For transgender clients whose identification, birth certificates, or other paperwork does not match their presented identity, we place them in programs that match their presented gender. So, if you are a transgender patient who is worried about being placed in a program based on the gender you do not identify with, do not worry.
Questions about our Facilities or Programs?
Our admissions coordinators are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have as you consider whether treatment at Banyan is right for you or your loved one.
LGBTQ+ Mental Health and Its Connection to Addiction
The complex relationship between mental health and addiction in a person who identifies as LGBTQ+ results from a variety of interrelated elements that influence how members of this community experience life. Increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression can result from social stigmatization, discrimination, and a lack of acceptance. As a result, some people use drugs or alcohol to help them deal with their emotional issues. This interplay is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by both inner identity struggles and societal forces from the outside. It is crucial to understand these dynamics to customize support and interventions to meet the specific needs of those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Addiction can affect anyone, but the LGBTQ+ community, in particular, seems to struggle with substance abuse at a higher rate than the general population. One study found that sexual minorities have a higher frequency of both using illicit drugs and having a substance abuse disorder in the past year than their heterosexual counterparts. They are also more likely to drink and smoke cigarettes on a regular basis. Along with higher instances of substance abuse, there are also mental health problems in the LGBTQ+ community, as the two are often related.
Contributing elements can include:
- Stigma and discrimination: Suffering discrimination can leave one feeling lonely and emotionally burdened for a long time. Some people may use substances for solace due to this load.
- Internalized homophobia and transphobia: The internalization of societal prejudices can result in extreme humiliation and self-doubt. As people try to deal with these harmful emotions, this internal struggle makes them more susceptible to addiction.
- Isolation and loneliness: Deep feelings of isolation might result from being rejected by family or community. Lack of a social network can make mental health issues worse, making drugs and alcohol an alluring haven.
- Access to LGBTQ inclusion in healthcare: A lack of LGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare professionals can make it difficult to receive effective mental health therapy. Individuals may turn to alcohol or drug self-medication due to this care gap.
- Heteronormative: The pressure to conform to traditional gender and sexual norms and expectations can lead to feelings of alienation and internal conflict, which can exacerbate mental health problems and drug usage.
- Lack of family support: A person is more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol for comfort if their family does not embrace them or understand them, which can strain relationships and worsen feelings of loneliness.
With all of these factors in mind, it is crucial that members of this community have access to capable and compassionate LGBTQ+ rehab services. Otherwise, they run the risk of falling deeper into the pit of addiction.
Addictions in the Transgender Community
Minority stress is one of the most challenging contributing factors to substance abuse among the LGBTQ+ community. Minority stress occurs in communities that are often marginalized, and transgender men, women, and nonbinary individuals are often the most marginalized out of LGBTQ+ communities. Transgender individuals struggle with substance abuse and alcoholism in varying degrees and substance types, and a unique approach is needed to help them heal.
Common Addictions for Gay and Bisexual Men
Though the acronym LGBTQ+ is always changing to include more members of these communities, there are many subsets of the LGBTQ+ community that face their own challenges. Homosexual men who are gay or bisexual may face their own difficulties with substance abuse. There are some common drugs abused by gay men that are prevalent in their communities. Studies show that gay and bisexual men are at an increased risk of abusing illicit drugs.
The more common drugs abused by gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer men include:
- Meth
- Amyl nitrates, aka poppers
- Ecstasy
- Cocaine
- Stimulants
The CDC also notes that LGBTQ+ men are also susceptible to struggling with alcohol abuse, often drinking in attempts to cope with societal judgments or difficulties towards their sexual orientation. Therapy programs for LGBTQ+ who use drugs can help gay, queer, and homosexual men treat their drug addiction in a supportive environment.
Common Addictions for Gay, Bisexual, and Lesbian Women
Women in the LGBTQ+ community also face challenges when it comes to substance abuse. Gay bisexual women are at a greater risk for alcohol abuse, but they are also susceptible to additional struggles. Specifically, lesbians, bisexual, and gay women are reported to drink more frequently, in larger amounts, and for longer durations. Following medical alcohol detox, patients at Banyan Detox can enter specific LGBTQ substance abuse treatment tracks to address the personal and social factors that contributed to their active drug or alcohol addiction.
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What Our Addiction Treatment for LGBTQ+ People Offers
For many members of the LGBTQ+ community, the idea of rooming with other people can make you feel anxious. We do everything we can to make patients feel as comfortable as possible in our care throughout all levels of care.
Often members of the LGBTQ+ community may find that their internal struggles and reasons for their substance abuse problems may differ from their heterosexual peers. Especially for those looking for a dual diagnosis rehab program, a good LGBTQ addiction treatment program should be prepared to address those issues.
In addition to keeping our patients' sober living arrangements in mind, our LGBTQ+ counseling and treatment for addiction is held on various levels of care for substance abuse treatment.
These levels of care include:
- Medical Detox
- Intensive Outpatient Program
- Partial Hospitalization Program
- Outpatient Program
- Stabilization Program
- Telehealth Addiction Services
We offer partial and full outpatient services to our clients to not only aid in their recovery from addiction but also to prepare them to sustain a sober lifestyle after rehab. It can be scary to transition to an everyday routine that doesn’t include drugs and alcohol, so our addiction specialists help our clients through every step of their treatment.
Our drug and alcohol rehab also provides substance-specific treatment programs, including:
- Alcohol Addiction Treatment
- Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment
- Cocaine Addiction Treatment
- Heroin Addiction Treatment
- Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment
- Opioid Addiction Treatment
- Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
In addition to treating the physical effects of addiction, our LGBTQ+ resources also include various therapy programs that address the psychological repercussions of substance abuse.
- 12 Step Programs
- Biofeedback Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Art Therapy
- Family and Couples Therapy
- Intervention Services
- Motivational Interviewing
- & More
No matter how long you’ve had a substance abuse addiction, our drug and alcohol rehab is here to help.
Compassionate Drug and Alcohol Treatment for LGBTQ+
At Banyan Treatment Centers, we are focused on helping all patients feel comfortable and safe throughout their treatment process. From medically monitored detox to outpatient support and everywhere in between, we are focused on helping patients feel safe, comfortable, and supported throughout their treatment process.
Contact our team today to learn more about our supportive services for members of the LGBTQ+ communities: Call (888) 981-7763 to get started.