People who identify as homosexual, transgender, bisexual, or queer; commonly referred to as LGBTQ, stand a higher risk of being addicted to drugs and need drug detox centers. Anyone can get addicted to drugs and substance abuse, and addiction treatment needs to be offered fairly. The varying biases facing members of the LGBTQ community make them have a difficult time getting such fair or better treatment. This is despite the fact that their addiction rates are very high compared to heterosexual individuals. Therefore, these people need help from drug detox centers that cater to the LGBTQ community.
How Easy is it for LGBTQ People to get Addicted to Drugs?
The journal of Psychology of Addictive Behaviors documents that LGBTQ people have a higher risk of abusing alcohol and varying drugs as compared to straight people. Various historical challenges such as discrimination and societal pressures make the LGBTQ people feel neglected or unwanted by society. They in such a case often turn to drugs numb the pain they feel. Their pain also makes them more likely to abuse the drugs they use, leading to intense addiction problems. While you might initially feel better after taking drugs, there are long-term negative effects that arise when you have to suppress your feelings extensively.
The Need for Special LGBTQ Addiction Treatment
Due to the varying types of prejudices, people who identify as LGBTQ are hard hit by addiction. They need help from a top-rated LGBTQ friendly detox center. Their treatment should acknowledge various co-occurring disorders that lead to their relapse. The most common include:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Intense stress
- Suicide and self-harming thoughts
Their health is also at great risk as a result of their sexual orientation. Common physical and health-related issues prevalent amongst the LGBTQ include:
- Compulsive sexual disorder
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sex of HIV-induced anxiety
- Sexual harassment
Any treatment offered without consideration of the co-occurring disorders for LGBTQ individuals might fail as it rarely addresses their key problems. The individuals also need support from their peers and people of a similar sexual orientation. This is because they connect deeply with such individuals making their chances of recovery much higher.
The treatment solutions for LGBTQ people must also empower them intellectually. This includes cognitive-behavioral education that aims at assisting the individuals to know why their addiction chances are higher. Such education can help them to fully embrace healthy life choices, behaviors and habits to avoid using drugs and alcohol.
While the LGBTQ face all the above issues during drug addiction, they also have a hard time openly admitting their addiction. They in such a manner rarely get proper treatment due to fear of stigma and discrimination. Any treatment offered traditionally and also currently at some recovery centers is subpar and fails to address their unique needs as discussed above.
LGBTQ Friendly Drug Detox Centers.
Drug detox centers warmly receive all members of the LGBTQ community and give them specialized care. As an LGBTQ detox center, we specialize in IV therapy medical detox for efficient results due to the personalized approach employed. You may need to detox, or you might know a friend or family member with a drug and alcohol addiction problems and needs to undergo detoxification. Contact drug detox centers today and learn more about their treatment options.
