The stigmas and discrimination facing members of the LGBTQIA+ community can lead to additional stressors. These stressors can end with the development of various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder (SUD). Often members of the community are struggling with co-occurring disorders that can make it harder for them to get the treatment they need to overcome them. We at Avalon Malibu pride ourselves on our ability to customize a plan to treat co-occurring disorders and help you reach your long-term goals.
Addiction in the LGBTQIA+ Community
The stressors that members of the LGBTQIA+ community face can be malicious and violent. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are more likely to experience mental health disorders due to the stigmas and discrimination they are met with. This can make it hard for them to live their life and feel comfortable doing so. In response, they turn to risky behaviors such as substance use to cope with the discrimination and hate they face.
Performing these risky behaviors and enduring this discrimination can lead to the development of mental health disorders. Some of these disorders include depression, anxiety, SUD, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder. The LGBTQIA+ community member may experience these disorders simultaneously, which can make treatment more difficult.
Unique Obstacles of the LGBTQIA+ Community Can Hinder Recovery
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are more likely to experience mental health disorders. The trauma, bullying, and discrimination they endure because of their lifestyle leads to increased feelings of sadness and loneliness. Experiencing this mistreatment and emotions can put the member at risk of relapse without the proper support.
It may also be harder to find and receive the care the member needs. There are still some biases and barriers that the LGBTQIA+ community face when reaching out for mental health care. Mental health professionals are becoming more open and accepting. There are still professionals that refuse to bring sexuality into treatment. They don’t understand how the mistreatment they face can lead to mental health disorders.
Family and friends may not be there to act as a support system if they disagree with the member’s sexuality. This can increase feelings of loneliness, abandonment, anxiety, and depression. Without proper care, these feelings can lead to relapse, especially when the member is no longer in treatment. When the member is no longer surrounded by similar individuals, they must accept their upsetting circumstances.
The absence of family and friends can also leave LGBTQIA+ members without a home, which can make it more difficult when treatment is over for them to maintain their sobriety. It makes the support system and resources outside of treatment all the more critical.
Members also face internal battles that they must overcome to be able to thrive in their recovery. They must accept their sexuality first before they can ask others to. This can be a struggle with the stigmas surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as the fear that comes with what others will think. The fear that comes from what others will think can keep the member from coming out and even left lying to themselves and others about their sexuality.
How Avalon Malibu Can Help You Overcome Your Addiction
Avalon Malibu is a SUD and mental health disorder treatment facility. We pride ourselves on providing unique care to ensure that all of your needs are met and to ensure you can reach your long-term recovery goals. Some SUDs we treat include alcoholism, cocaine, opiate, heroin, methamphetamine, Ambien, Oxycontin, Vicodin, Xanax, Valium, barbiturates, and marijuana addiction. Our programs take a holistic approach because we understand the importance of mind, body, and spirit harmony to ensure long-term recovery.
The programs we offer for SUD include inpatient psychiatric and residential treatment at our facility in Malibu, CA, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient treatment. Your treatment method will be determined by your needs and what best works for your life. It will also be taken into account what will most benefit your recovery and allow you to have the best outcome after the completion of your treatment plan.
Everyone has different needs they need to meet to be successful in their recovery. Through the use of a variety of therapies, we can meet these needs. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EDMR), relapse prevention therapy, experiential therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, and nutritional guidance are some of the therapies we instill in our SUD treatment programs.
Experiential therapy is the use of different activities for treatment. An invested and energetic staff runs these activities. They can include things such as yoga, participating in the seasonal rope course and aqua therapy, art therapy, physical fitness, and psychodrama therapy. They allow you to try new things and learn what fits your new sober lifestyle best.
The members of the LGBTQIA+ community face many obstacles throughout their lives. These obstacles can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as performing risky behaviors and substance use. This can lead to addiction and more challenges to face, creating a never-ending cycle. Realizing that you are trapped in this cycle is the first step to you getting help for your addiction and mental health. If you are looking for an inclusive and holistic rehabilitation center, reach out to Avalon Malibu at (844) 857-5992 today. Our facility has trained professionals to help you overcome your addiction and mental health disorders. We understand the unique challenges you are facing and want to help you achieve your long-term goals.Â
