The LGBTQ+ Community And Recovery

The LGBTQ+ community and recovery

Substance abuse and addiction is a significant problem within the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) community. People who identify as LGBTQIA are at a greater risk for substance abuse and addiction with up to 30% of the population being affected.

These threatening statistics highlight the importance for more substance use recovery programs that support LGBTQ+ individuals.

The LGBTQ+ community and Addiction

Due to several societally imposed obstacles that they face, the LGBTQ+ community suffers from a higher rate of substance abuse and addiction than any other demographic.

A few examples of these challenges include:

• Discrimination or stigmatization due to sexual orientation
• Hate crimes such as emotional abuse, threats, public humiliation or ridicule
• Rejection or shame from family or friends after coming out
• Loss of employment or unfairness within the workplace
• Internalized homophobia or self-hatred

Due to such challenges, LGBTQ+ individuals find themselves turning to drugs and alcohol to escape and self-medicate from the prejudice that they face within everyday society. Whilst substances may have the illusion of temporarily numbing uncomfortable feelings such as depression, anxiety, anger or fear, the long-term effects have serious negative consequences both physically and mentally.

Drugs within the LGBTQ+ community

Many members of the LGBTQ+ community find themselves forced to live a “closeted” life in order to hide their sexuality from others in fear of rejection, and often seek sanctuary in places such as gay bars where they can socialise with other people who are going through the same struggles as themselves. Whilst Gay bars and other LGBTQ+ spaces are historic places of belonging, where people can go to learn and find themselves within the community, they are also the places which expose many to the frequent use of drugs and alcohol.

The common substances that are used within the LGBTQ+ community are found to be:

• Alcohol
• LSD
• Ketamine
• Adderall
• Cocaine
• Meth
• Marijuana
• Benzodiazepines

Substance and Addiction Treatment at The Lighthouse

One of the reasons that LGBTQ+ individuals may be hesitant to get help is the lack of resources available to them which address their individual needs.

Here at The Lighthouse, we treat and support the individual. With Bali being a Hindu island, and where the LGBTQ+ community is accepted, our private one-on-one programs offer you a sanctuary during your addiction treatment, as well as place to support you in understanding and embracing who you are.

We are proud to offer a team of clinical psychologists, counsellors and nurses who are both experienced and passionate in supporting LGBTQ+ individuals with both their addiction and personal wellbeing.

It is imperative that our clients receive the best support during their time with us here at The Lighthouse, and in our recovery program you will receive one-on-one therapy with a licensed clinical psychologist 3 hours weekly. This counselling is a deeply effective means of discovering and healing the causes and traumas that lead to our addictions in the first place. Our international team of psychologists will be a guide and helping hand through your journey of self-discovery.

Effective therapies offered at The Lighthouse which support the common issues within the LGBTQ+ are:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS): An approach to psychotherapy that identifies and addresses multiple sub-personalities consisting of wounded parts and painful emotions such as anger and shame. This technique focuses on healing the wounded parts and restoring mental balance and harmony by changing the dynamics that create discord among the sub-personalities and the Self.
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): Supporting the individual in feeling less scared, depressed or anxious, and offering tools to overcome self-defeating thoughts.
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): A Cutting-Edge psychotherapeutic treatment that can ease the distressing effects of traumatic memories that are associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): A form of counselling that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies in order to open up to unpleasant feelings and develop a practice of self-acceptance.
• Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT): A practice which aims to help promote mental and emotional healing by encouraging people in treatment to be compassionate towards themselves and others.

Contact us today to learn about the ways that we can help you to achieve the life that you want and deserve.