health lab
by deanna jordan, clinical director, new method wellness
CHANGING THE WAY WE TREAT ADDICTION IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY
Substance abuse treatment will always vary by individual. Each person
is unique; their struggles, what they need to overcome and what their end goals will be will always differ. It is for this reason that changing the perspective when it comes to treating the LGBTQ community must be a goal in successful rehabilitation. Factors like traumatic, cultural discrimination and fear of judgement are many reasons why tailoring a LGBTQ rehabilitation program is necessary. There are two fundamental reasons as to why the LGBTQ substance abuse
rates are absurdly high: The first being cultural and political discrimination, and the second being lack of culturally sensitive treatment options for addiction and alcohol abuse. The cultural and legislative discrimination against the LGBTQ community
plays a large part in producing high levels of stress that can lead to promoting the use of depressants and stimulants on a recreational level. Another factor that contributes to the increase in substance abuse in the LGBTQ community derives from a sub-culture that portrays clubs and bars as a judgment-free environment. This causes attendees to let go of all negativity and develop friendships and relationships with empathizing individuals. Stimulants are incredibly common in the club scene, with cocaine and ecstasy shared freely for the feelings of euphoria that they produce. It is for this reason that it is no surprise that stimulants are the most common category of abused drugs in the LGBTQ community. Substance abuse studies continuously exemplify a significant increase in
drug and alcohol abuse in the LGBTQ community; the current report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) states that 20-30 percent in the LGBTQ community suffer from substance abuse disorders compared to nine percent in the general population. Xanax and alcohol are also commonly abused substances within the LGBTQ community; each of these drugs are socially acceptable and highly addictive. Depressants often relieve the symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for a short period of time. Unfortunately, stress only scratches the surface of this minority group’s
intense trauma, which is largely based on deeply rooted feelings of isolation, fear of judgment and safety, rocky familial relationships and more. The lack of substance abuse treatment options for the LGBTQ community is evident in the mere inability to address the fact that substance abuse treatment for an LGBTQ client requires a different approach. At New Method Wellness, the LGBTQ Program is broken down into a quadrilateral treatment plan which includes general substance abuse treatment, dual-diagnosis treatment for common co-occurring disorders in the LGBTQ community, trauma treatment and identity specific therapy. Trauma treatment requires a specialized therapeutic method called psycho- therapy, which creates order and understanding of past feelings and experiences and develops healthy coping mechanisms moving forward. Trauma is all-encompassing and includes any past experiences that have caused pain and suffering to an individual. Therefore, it becomes adamant that we address all aspects of what this trauma entails. Psychotherapy is an extremely helpful form of therapy, sorting through the layers of discrimination, fear and judgment that has accumulated over the years. Aside from trauma treatment, the LGBTQ client must be presented
with therapeutic methods that address gender and sexual identity. At New Method Wellness, we have carefully crafted groups that create a safe and non-judgmental space for sharing pain related to gender and sexuality while developing healthy boundaries and relationships. These groups help to redefine and reshape what gender and sexuality mean to the individual. Treatment centers will claim they are LGBTQ-sensitive, yet they often lack a
sense of LGBTQ community among the staff and clientele, further instigating feelings of isolation and disconnect. Extended aftercare and a rich, sober community are essential ingredients of any long-term recovery program, which is why it is extremely important to find a treatment center that will provide not only substance abuse treatment for the LGBTQ client, but also create a sense of community that remains present long after treatment.
For more information on New Method Wellness treatment options, or to speak with someone about addiction, call 866.951.1824 or go to
newmethodwellness.com.
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RAGE monthly | OCTOBER 2016
| OCTOBER 2016
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