Substance Use and the LGBTQ+ Community: Are They Connected?

Addiction can affect anybody, and there is nobody who is “immune” to developing addiction or enduring its challenging effects. However, some communities can experience the effects of addiction at higher rates compared to the national average. For example, the LGBTQ+ community is one of these communities. Though addiction and the LGBTQ+ community can be connected, exploring the reason why is paramount to engaging in effective and comprehensive healing. 

There are still many misconceptions and stigmas surrounding addiction. It is common for those in recovery to encounter people who may not understand addiction as a disease or who may even actively delegitimize its effects. The idea that addiction is somehow the result of a moral failing or personal weakness is entirely erroneous, but yet a pervasive stigma that can unfairly paint those living with the disease. This stigmatized mentality can lead to many misunderstandings and judgments against those overcoming addiction, resulting in many harmful effects. 

Addiction is a disease that affects a person on many levels, from their thoughts and behaviors to their overall brain chemistry. Addictive substances can hijack the brain’s dopamine receptors and even “program” the brain to believe that the use of drugs or alcohol is necessary for basic functions, or even survival, seeing these substances as necessary as food. 

Some of those living with addiction may also have a genetic predisposition to developing the disease if a family member has been diagnosed with addiction in the past. 

Other factors that can impact the development of addiction in anyone include:

However, regardless of how addiction develops, seeing it as a disease rather than a personal failing is necessary to separate the disease from the person, destigmatize treatment, and empower each person to pursue effective healing. Professional treatment facilities like Hawaii Island Recovery are instrumental in not just approaching addiction and encouraging effective healing practices but also educating family members and loved ones on this distinction. 

There is nothing inherently different about members of the LGBTQ+ community that makes them more or less likely to develop addiction. However, pervasive stigmas around the LGBTQ+ community can create harmful situations. While members of the LGBTQ+ community do experience addiction and mental health disorders at higher rates, it has nothing to do with a person’s sexual identity or gender identity. Rather, it is the connection that substance use has to stress and trauma that informs many of these challenges. 

The LGBTQ+ community is often subjected to discrimination, both for being a minority community and still prevalent misunderstandings about the community. Harassment, insults, and feeling like an ostracized part of the larger social community all come with an intense amount of stress and bring feelings of depression, anxiety, and more. The use of drugs or alcohol is common to push down the emotional effects of this constant discrimination, leading to addiction as a coping strategy. 

This discrimination can also develop into bullying that can be very traumatic, reshaping the way a person feels about themselves and their identity. Members of the LGBTQ+ community may also essentially be taught to hate themselves or their identity due to these stigmas or lack of support, suppressing their own identity or engaging in intense levels of self-hate, which can further inform the use of drugs or alcohol. 

LGBTQ+ community members can also be at an increased risk of sexual harassment or assault. Comments about a person’s body can birth uncomfortable feelings, body dysmorphia, or reinforce offensive stereotypes. Others may experience unwanted touching or assault. These are all common challenges for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Members of the LGBTQ+ community often experience these things at a higher rate than those not in the community and can have lasting traumatic implications on a person’s mental health and coping strategies like substance use. 

Many members of the LGBTQ+ community can feel isolated in daily life. For some, this means feeling isolated from a community that may not understand, accept, or be receptive to a person’s sexual or gender identity. In more devastating cases, this isolation can come from a person’s own family members, with some families fundamentally changing their view about one of their own as they explore their identity. 

Feeling disconnected or isolated from a community, family, or former friends can be incredibly difficult to cope with. This lack of a support system can make it difficult to challenge and overcome these devastating feelings. The use of drugs or alcohol can be a common attempt to self-medicate these feelings of isolation, even if they further inform feelings of depression or anxiety in daily life. Likewise, feeling disconnected or unsupported by a person’s own family can be an incredibly traumatic event and have an impact on a person’s use of drugs or alcohol. 

Experiencing a lack of gender-affirming care, or feeling as if established medical practices in a person’s community would not treat a person the same for being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, can raise many barriers to otherwise healthy and effective treatments for coping with substance abuse, addiction, trauma, or even basic medical needs. 

This can leave many members of the LGBTQ+ community feeling as if they have to overcome these challenges on their own, often resulting in self-destructive behaviors like substance use, self-harm, and addiction. 

LGBTQ+ community members often face addiction as a result of many other prevalent challenges, from mental health disorders like anxiety disorders, depression, and more to the profound effects of trauma. The combination of these challenges can make effective healing incredibly complicated. Combined with barriers to professional treatment and affirming care, it is common for many LGBTQ+ community members to face a myriad of daily challenges to mental health, physical health, and even spiritual health. 

Co-occurring disorders, or a combination of addiction and a mental health disorder, are incredibly complicated. With the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ community members, finding effective treatment for addressing these challenges in tandem is both necessary and difficult. 

Addressing addiction without tackling the underlying needs of LGBTQ+ community members can leave many at an increased chance of relapse in their sober journey. Holistic healing is necessary for effective, sustainable change, especially while overcoming the myriad of challenges and stresses of the LGBTQ+ community.

Addiction across the LGBTQ+ community is not a result of personal identity or orientation but rather a product of how many members of the LGBTQ+ community are treated in their communities. However, while difficult, treatment is always possible, and Hawaii Island Recovery is committed to helping the LGBTQ+ community overcome these prevalent stigmas and barriers to explore effective, transformational addiction and mental health treatment. 

The LGBTQ+ community has many barriers and stigmas to overcome before even taking that first important step into treatment. Distrust in medical treatment facilities and feelings of isolation can make it difficult for many LGBTQ+ community members to reach out for help, especially when it may invite even more feelings of vulnerability in an already difficult daily life filled with discrimination or isolation. However, finding the right community can make a huge difference in beginning the healing journey and overcoming addiction. 

The first necessary consideration for many members of the LGBTQ+ community is ensuring that a given addiction treatment facility will be able to offer gender-affirming mental health care for effective healing. Feeling seen and accepted is the first step in committing oneself to effective healing, and is necessary for instilling confidence and motivation to address personal challenges. Calling local treatment facilities to inquire about gender-affirming care throughout addiction recovery, or contacting Hawaii Island Recovery to explore the options at our facility, can be the best way to find a safe space to commit to treatment. 

The challenges and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community are truly unique, and it can be tough for those who have not been involved with the community to understand what this kind of discrimination and isolation can feel like. Access to LGBTQ+ specialists, whether professionals who are members of the LGBTQ+ community themselves or allies is necessary to address the unique challenges of the LGBTQ+ community effectively. 

Trauma-informed treatment is also commonly a necessary part of these unique programs. A trauma-informed approach to treatment can empower LGBTQ+ community members to create a treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and goals while overcoming the effects of past experiences and their relationship with substance use. 

These specialists and LGBTQ+ dedicated healing communities are also necessary for exploring personal identity in recovery. The journey of self-discovery is not something that is ever truly “completed,” whether or not a person is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Having a safe space that encourages the continued development of personal identity in sobriety can be necessary for making the changes wanted for a truly fulfilling life and sober future. This is also a crucial part of challenging feelings of self-hatred that may continue to impact daily life and a person’s perspective of themselves to encourage healing and self-love.

There is nothing easy about overcoming addiction. Likewise, there is nothing easy about overcoming past traumas, mental health disorders, and the stresses of daily life. Dealing with these challenges in tandem is exceptionally difficult, especially since each person will have their own unique experiences, perspectives, and history to address. Access to effective treatment for coping with co-occurring disorders is paramount for LGBTQ+ community members pursuing truly transformative healing. 

Personalized case management is a core part of effective treatment for overcoming co-occurring disorders. Being able to engage in holistic treatments is paramount. Blending proven therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with experiential healing opportunities, community engagement, and more is all part of effective healing. 

Overcoming co-occurring disorders is complicated, and having an array of strategies may be necessary. Some strategies that can be effective in helping to address co-occurring disorders in the LGBTQ+ community include:

Contacting Hawaii Island Recovery or a local treatment facility to explore these potential healing options can be essential for LGBTQ+ community members challenging addiction and other needs throughout their healing journey. 

While addiction can have profound effects on a person’s mental health and physical health, one often overlooked aspect of addiction is its effects on spiritual health. Spiritual healing can empower those in recovery to explore new perspectives of themselves and locate supportive communities. Hawaii Island Recovery also embraces the spirit of aloha across each of the programs offered to blend spiritual healing practices with proven therapies and treatments for holistic healing. 

Spiritual healing can also encourage a feeling and place of belonging on a spiritual level, learning not just to accept oneself but to accept new roles, perspectives, and attunement to nature, religion, or any kind of spiritual practice. Exploring spirituality can also bring a feeling of purpose and accountability into sober life, helping to set new goals and build new connections for the LGBTQ+ community in sober life. 

In some cases, effective education about both addiction and the challenges of the LGBTQ+ community can birth change families and loved ones. Some family members may be unintentionally harmful to a person’s mental health, and education can help address some of these challenges and create an effective support system at home. Access to family programs can be essential in developing the communication skills and understanding necessary for change. 

For those with families ready to support sober change and explore healing in an LGBTQ+ loved one, family programs can be instrumental in creating new understanding and support to overcome both past challenges and new stresses that may arise throughout the recovery process. 

Isolation is a common challenge for many of those overcoming the challenges of LGBTQ+, addiction, or a combination thereof. Engaging in a supportive and understanding community of peers and allies can be a truly transformative experience, helping to challenge feelings of isolation or misunderstanding and instead finding support and genuine sympathy. 

For some, local access to a dedicated recovery community and LGBTQ+ allies can be an amazing experience. However, online and digital options are also available, connecting members of the LGBTQ+ community to challenge these feelings of isolation. 

There is nothing easy about overcoming addiction, especially since many members of the LGBTQ+ community may still be coping with the challenges of daily life, discrimination, and more. Urges and cravings are also common, even in those truly committed to a sober future, at any stage of healing. Continued engagement in an effective community that supports and creates a safe space for LGBTQ+ members and is ready to address new stresses and challenges that arise throughout the recovery process is paramount. 

From an accepting residential treatment facility to ongoing outpatient support, trauma support groups, and LGBTQ+ specialists and allies to address the continued challenges of traumatic experience, effective healing requires a commitment to a continuum of healing. Hawaii Island Recovery is prepared to help each person explore each of their needs, as well as how these challenges may interact and inform addiction, stress, anxiety, depression, and much more in daily life while also helping members of the LGTBQ+ community connect to supportive peers and professionals to continue navigating the effective healing journey. 

Addiction is a powerful disease, and there is no simple “cure” for it. Rather, it is an ongoing battle. However, healing is always possible with the right support and understanding to deconstruct stigmas and barriers. 

Addiction can affect anybody, but finding effective treatment and healing is a personal journey. At Hawaii Island Recovery, we understand the interconnected nature of a disease like addiction, and we are prepared to personalize your treatment program to address the effects of addiction, as well as the underlying needs, challenges, traumas, and experiences that informed the use of drugs or alcohol in the first place. Our accepting community and dedication to the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ community, combined with the natural healing advantages of Hawaii, ensures that you can create a unique healing experience that tends to personal needs while exploring new perspectives and an accepting community in recovery. For more information, call us today at (866) 390-5070.