Taking the step to go to rehab is huge. Facing an addiction is one of the hardest experiences a person endures. When a person who is LGBTQ+ is considering rehab, there are additional concerns that need to be raised to make a person feel safe and welcomed.

Societal attitudes and discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community have long been problematic.
Unfortunately, it often feels that with one step forward, there are two back.

We’ve seen huge setbacks against the LGBTQ+ community with recent Trump policies.

Though many states had strong legislation around protected characteristics and hate crime, the new legislation only recognizing two sexes and ending programs relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, reopens the door to ongoing discrimination.

“LGBT people are five times more likely than non-LGBT people to be victims of violent crime.”(1) Being the victim of hatred for simply being who you are leads to severe trauma for many LGBTQ+ people.

At LGBTQ and ALL, our aim is to support you to find helpful safe spaces where you’re welcomed just as you are. Finding an LGBTQ+ rehab is important for those with addiction issues.

The benefits of going to an LGBTQ+ rehab

For the LGBTQ+ community accessing an LGBTQ+ rehab makes all the difference for future outcomes. Being in an environment where people support, are understanding and have awareness, is crucial.

This type of support offers an optimum space to begin healing.

The benefits of a stay at an LGBTQ+ rehab include:

• Safety. When you’re in a LGBTQ+ safe space such as a rehab that is LGBTQ+ positive, staff
  understand the community and issues related to it. There is compassion and all endeavor to
  nurture a space of safety and security which is essential to recovery.
• Validation. Rehab staff value and support you to finding your positive qualities and worthiness.
  Your experience as an LGBTQ+ person is relevant and you’ll be welcomed to share about all
  parts of who you are.
• Open-minded and accepting staff and other patients. The attitudes of people who stay at
  LGBTQ+ rehab clinics are non-judgmental, open-minded, and inclusive.

Recovery and healing is much easier in an environment where you can be yourself, feel safe, and are around people who are open-minded and compassionate to your experience.

LGBTQ+ people and comorbid conditions at Rehab

Those who go to rehab struggle with a variety of health issues. Mental health as well as physical health has usually reached a point of severe deterioration.

It’s common for people in the LGBTQ+ community to have comorbid conditions; along with the
addiction there are other illnesses, too.

These are outlined below:

• Anxiety and/or depression are commonly found alongside substance abuse. It’s often difficult to tell what came first, the mental health issue, or the addiction. Either way, rehab offers a great environment to access professional help for both.
• Eating disorders and addiction might be dual-diagnosed. Sometimes, people control appetite
  using substances. Specialist therapists are on-hand.
• Low self-esteem is extremely common in the LGBTQ+ community and this is addressed in
  therapies and group work.
• A dual diagnosis of substance addiction and addiction to porn, sex, or dating apps. Many
  LGBTQ+ rehabs combine therapies targeting different issues to provide full support.
• Self-harm, whether through substances or causing physical harm to yourself is addressed in
  therapy.

At LGBTQ and ALL, we support our community to find the right alcohol detox treatment center to unpick deep trauma through deep emotional processing and coming to understand and accept “the self”.

Finding a rehab with a holistic and person-centered approach is key. You’ll want one which offers a wide variety of therapies.

What types of therapy are available at LGBTQ and ALL rehabs?

What types of therapy are available at LGBTQ and ALL rehabs?

• Detox treatments include supporting you to physically quit a substance. Especially important
  when addicted to alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates, you’ll be prescribed medication to
  wean you to sobriety safely.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is frequently employed at rehab to support patients to learn
  how reframe thoughts. This helps to guide new patterns of behavior.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is useful for those requiring support around emotional
  difficulties. This is especially relevant where deep emotional trauma has occurred.
• Family therapies can sometimes be prescribed. Where families have experienced relationship
  breakdowns, mediation and therapeutic input can help shift dynamics and reignite healthier
  connections.
• Peer-led groups are especially useful in finding shared understanding of living with addiction as an LGBTQ+ person.
• Holistic therapies via art and music offer alternative ways to process addiction, emotions, and personal histories.

At rehab, you’ll develop techniques to help you manage emotional challenges and trauma, as well as building your health and wellness.

The reality of being LGBTQ+ and facing discrimination

Though no-one should have to suffer discrimination, the reality is that marginalized communities do. In2024, “11,862 hate crime incidents” were reported by law enforcement agencies via the FBI.(2) This includes crimes related to race and disability.

Focusing in on the LGBTQ+ community, it’s reported that 106.4 out of 1000 LGBTQ+ people are
victimized. This is in contrast to 21.1 out of 1000 non-LGBTQ+ people.(1) That’s basically five times the amount of LGBTQ+ people being targeted.

It’s essential, as well, to keep in mind that this also only accounts for incidents that are reported. There will be many that remain “hidden”. Also relevant is the fact that hate crime laws vary across states.(3) This, too, will influence if and how crimes are reported.

In 2012, it was “estimated that between 20 percent to 30 percent of gay and transgender people abuse substances” in contrast to 9% of the general population.(4)

With the increase in likelihood of facing discrimination and persecution, it’s not surprising that some
people turn to substances as a coping mechanism.

Why the LGBTQ+ community are less likely to go to rehab

The majority of the LGBTQ+ community face discrimination at school, college, work, from professional organizations, in the media, and even most damagingly, from family and social circles, and even governments. Fear of, and the consequences linked to, discrimination can become one of the biggest barriers to treatment.

The fact that the community is under-represented despite being one of the most highly impacted by addiction is telling.

The LGBTQ+ and All platform helps people to overcome this barrier by supporting you to find rehab
services that really help.

Why going to an LGBTQ+ rehab makes all the difference

Going to an LGBTQ+ rehab will support you to quit the addiction, but on top of this, it’ll help you to
embrace your queer identity and to develop meaningful friendships with open-minded others. Often,
these relationships go on to last a lifetime.

What to do if it’s time to treat your addiction

If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’ve realised and accepted that you have a substance abuse
problem. This is the first step to recovery. The next is accepting that it’s a severe and complex medical condition and you require treatment.

To get the treatment you need, it’s helpful to discuss your situation with an understanding professional who will listen and give you personalized advice.

You can contact specialist professionals on the LGBTQ+ and ALL website. Just scroll to the bottom of the page to find help in your area.