As a group, the LGBTQ+ community has been struggling to get respect, love, and their rights ever since its emergence. And over the last few years, much work has been done in favour of this community. However, progress is stifled now and then. For example, the inequitable attitudes displayed or exhibited at the 2022 Qatar World Cup were beyond acceptance. The event brought up the challenges every person in the LGBTQ+ community face every day. For example, they are constantly being judged and looked at with shame and hate.
This constant criticising or onslaught of discrimination drives LGBT people towards substance abuse. As a result, they find comfort in unhealthy substances or behaviours, increasing addiction rates among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. For example, it has been found that one in eight LGBT people aged 18-24 (13%) took drugs at least once a month.
Hence, multiple LGBTQ+ rehab clinics in the UK declare their support and solidarity with LGBTQ+ individuals and use addiction therapies to help them heal. But before moving forward, it is wise to understand what treatment options are available at rehab clinics in UK and what you can expect from them.
LGBTQ+ and Discrimination
Whether they are gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, or queer, all those in the LGBTQ+ community experience discrimination and physical harm occasionally. And recent studies outline these issues, reporting:
- One in eight LGBT people has experienced disparate treatment from medical staff because of their sexual orientation.
- Almost half of the trans people (46%) have thought about taking their own life.
- One in seven LGBT people (14%) have avoided treatment for fear of discrimination because they are LGBT.
- Almost one in four LGBT people (23%) have witnessed discriminatory or negative remarks against LGBT people by healthcare staff.
- At least two in five respondents had experienced an incident, such as verbal harassment or physical violence because they belong to the LGBTQ+ community.
Owing to these shocking facts or reports, the inclination of LGBTQ+ people towards alcohol or drug abuse isn’t surprising. In fact, one headline in the Crime Survey of England and Wales showed that drug use amongst gay and bisexual men is higher (33%) than among heterosexual men (11.1%). The reason LGBT people are addicted to drugs and alcohol is the feelings of isolation, trauma, loneliness, and lack of support. Anyone that resonates with these characteristics should seek help from LGBTQ+ rehab clinics in the UK.
LGBTQ+ Rehab and Co-occurring Disorders
LGBTQ+ people are surrounded by multiple stigmas which impact every corner of their lives. As a result, they develop a constant fear of being judged, denied, harassed, or even the inability to be true to themselves. Also, people who identify as LGBTQ+ often develop mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideations, low self-esteem, and disordered eating. Sadly, transgender youth is three times more likely to experience mental health issues and face problems with substance abuse. And the condition in which mental health issues and substance abuse co-occur is called co-occurring disorders.
What are LGBTQ+ Rehabs for Substance Abuse?
Addiction treatment centres or rehab clinics in UK that serve LGBTQ+ community house staff with proper training, programming, and social awareness to support the unique needs of LGBTQ+ people. For example, the National Institute on Drug Abuse declared that all rehabs should address an individual’s background and specific needs before assigning any treatment program. It may include the following:
- Experience of rejection by family members
- Homophobia
- Discrimination or community violence
- Symptoms of depression
- Coming out
Treatments or Recovery Programs Offered at LGBTQ+ Rehabs
If you are wondering what treatments are included in LGBTQ+ rehab for addiction treatment and how they benefit you, you have come to the right place. A few evidence-based types of treatment that help you recover and reduce the chances of relapse include:
- Detox: The initial step of most recovery programs, detox, is ridding substances from the body. During detox, all the harmful toxins are eliminated from the body, which may also result in a relapse in most individuals. Hence, supervised detox is recommended to avoid pain and discomfort. Also, detox can occur anywhere in residential or outpatient rehab, and its intensity depends on an individual’s needs.
- Inpatient or residential rehabilitation: People with severe addiction problems require higher levels of care, which is the USP of residential rehab. In this treatment program, patients live in a 24/7 facility where healthcare professionals monitor their behaviours and progress. However, services and amenities may vary, including medication management, addiction therapies, mutual support groups, and aftercare planning. Also, inpatient treatment usually lasts from a 30-day to a 90-day program.
- Outpatient Rehabilitation: Unlike inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment is much more flexible. The intensity of this treatment varies, ranging from partial hospitalisation and intensive outpatient to lower levels, where patients have to visit the facility only a few days a week. Patients also get to attend school, work, and personal responsibilities while undergoing treatment.
- Behavioural Therapy: Multiple behavioural therapies are included in addiction treatment programs in almost all rehab clinics in UK. For example, cognitive-behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, contingency management, motivational enhancement, family therapy, and group therapy help patients develop specialised coping skills to act in triggering situations and reduce the risk of relapse.
- Medication Management: When addiction therapies fail, medications are commonly used by medical professionals to ease withdrawal symptoms in an individual. Certain medications also help reduce cravings and treat co-occurring physical and mental health conditions.
- Mutual Support Groups: Support groups are a platform where patients can connect with others struggling with the same issues while learning specialised tools to support their recovery. These groups include 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous; some are formed explicitly for the LGBTQ+ community.
What to Expect from LGBTQ+ Rehab?
People seeking addiction treatment deserve a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment to start their recovery. But this becomes challenging for LGBTQ+ individuals because they need a rehab centre that affirms and understand their sexual orientation. Here are some things that one should expect before choosing LGBTQ+ rehab:
- A non-judgmental attitude: One of the most important things to expect from LGBTQ+ rehab is their open-mindedness and non-judgmental staff. LGBTQ+-friendly rehab clinics in UK must respect their patient’s identities, preferences, and pronouns. They should never try to change who they are as a person.
- A safe and inclusive environment: An LGBTQ+-friendly rehab must boast a safe and inclusive environment for all its clients. Because stress is a major factor in relapse, a relaxing atmosphere at a rehab centre can help them let go of their worries.
- Affirming care: Therapists at LGBTQ+ rehab must understand clients’ unique experiences and tailor the treatment plans according to their needs.
How to Access LGBTQ+ Rehab?
The LGBTQ+ community has been underserved and underrepresented in many aspects, including addiction and rehabilitation. But, when you choose a suitable rehab, you must shortlist them by judging their awareness of the dangers that drive the LGBTQ+ community towards substance use disorder in the first place. Hence, find a rehab clinic in UK that fight these disparities and understand how addiction therapies and treatment are vital for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people as well. You can also contact the LGBTQ+ rehab centres to discuss your treatment options, depending on your needs.
