What To Know About Substance Use Addiction As An LGBTQ+ Person?

Quite a good number of LGBTQ+ people live with the inability to control their consumption of alcohol or use of illegal or prescribed drugs. While addiction is widely recognized by medical professionals as a disease, some people still view the condition as a failure of character. The stigma attached to substance abuse is why some LGBTQ+ people don’t seek help. But professional care is very necessary to overcome the effects of addiction. What makes addiction so powerful?

6 Things to Know About Substance Use Addiction in an LGBTQ+ Person

Substance use addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their background or identity. If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or care about someone who is, knowing the facts can make a big difference. Here are six things to know about substance use addiction in LGBTQ+ individuals.

1. Substance Use Addiction is Common.
   The impact of substance use addiction is widespread. A lot of LGBTQ people are affected by a substance use disorder, some even coping with both alcohol and drug abuse simultaneously. They suffer as a result of this addiction, with the societal consequences of dependency including spending billions of dollars on healthcare and legal and criminal justice costs, as well as losing countless hours of workplace productivity.
2. Addiction is Not a Choice.
   One of addiction’s defining characteristics is the inability to stop self-destructive behavior, despite the person’s awareness of its negative consequences. While it is a personal choice for the LGBTQ+ individual to use alcohol or drugs, if addiction sets in, the problem goes beyond personal responsibility. In the overwhelming majority of cases, willpower alone is not enough to overcome substance use addiction. Like hypertension and diabetes, addiction is a medical condition that results from various contributing factors. And, like other medical conditions, addiction requires a medical approach to treatment. So, why is it so difficult to kick the habit for an LGBTQ person?
3. Some LGBTQ People Become Addicted But Not Others.
   Why is it that some LGBTQ+ people react differently to alcohol? Various biological, environmental, and developmental factors influence a queer person’s susceptibility to addiction. Genes inherited from parents and environmental influences (peer pressure, parental guidance, stress) at important developmental stages play a role in the development of an addictive behavior in a queer person. The more risk factors an LGBTQ+ person has, the higher the odds of addictive influences on behavior. This means an LGBTQ person’s genetic makeup and certain formative experiences influence their predisposition to habit-forming behavior and addiction. It also means two LGBTQ+ people who enjoy alcohol moderately, or relieve pain with the same dose of pain medication, can have completely different responses.
4. Substance Use Addiction Can Be Prevented.
   The most effective way to prevent substance abuse is to educate and communicate with the LGBTQ community about alcohol, drug and tobacco use. An open and honest relationship with an accepting parent is important, especially for an LGBTQ+ family member to feel comfortable sharing stressful experiences, like peer pressure. Setting a good example of how to use alcohol and prescription medications is also helpful. LGBTQ+ loved ones who have parents with a substance abuse problem are more likely to develop the same problem. The public conversation about alcohol and drugs can also influence the behavior of queer people.
5. Sustained Treatment is Best for Substance Use Addiction Recovery.
   As any LGBTQ person who has overcome a substance abuse problem knows, getting to and staying in recovery is not easy. Recovery is a sustained process through which an addiction-afflicted LGBTQ+ person learns how to live free from the source of addiction. Staying in addiction recovery often requires long-term management through counseling, self-monitoring, and healthy lifestyle choices. The first step is detoxification. It’s possible to complete this step alone, but it’s safer and more likely to succeed with supervision. It helps to enroll in a treatment program. Effective programs tailor treatment to the queer individual needs, often relying on a mix of medication and mental health counseling.
6. Relapse is Common But it’s Part of The Addiction Recovery Process.
   Many LGBTQ+ individuals return to abusing drugs or alcohol after going through treatment. This implies that they relapse soon after starting a treatment program. Staying clean is hard, but not impossible. A long-term prevention plan can increase the odds of staying in substance abuse recovery. A good prevention plan teaches how to recognize the early signs of relapse and apply coping mechanisms. Relapse may feel like failure, but it’s actually considered a part of the addiction recovery process. It’s an indication that more, or different, treatment is necessary.

Helping an LGBTQ Person you Think Has Problems with Drug or Alcohol Misuse

Helping an LGBTQ+ person with substance use disorder can be overwhelming. The first thing you should do is not try to have a meaningful conversation with the person while they are seriously under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They may not remember your conversation, or it could promote an unwanted reaction.

If they are under the influence, it is their physical well-being that is the priority:

Ensure they are safe:

• Stay with them and offer reassurance.
• Encourage seeking medical attention if necessary
• If the LGBTQ+ individual is having trouble breathing or expressing suicidal thoughts, call the emergency services.

We have all seen tricky situations happen or been involved in confrontational situations ourselves, where someone whether binary or non-binary, looks like they need help, but we are frightened to get involved because of the aggressive or strange way the person is behaving. This may be caused by the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

Get Treated Today!

Substance use addiction is a real thing, and it’s something that you should take seriously.  With the right treatment and support, it is possible to overcome this addiction and live a healthy, happy life. At Inspire Recovery, we welcome our LGBTQ+ friends and family. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use disorder, you’re not alone. Whether you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning, you are worthy of the highest level of care in overcoming a substance use disorder.

Inspire Recovery offers a continuum of care for all types of substance use from medical professionals who have years of experience in the field. In our judgment-free environment, you’ll be surrounded by people who care about your situation and want to help you overcome addiction for good. At Inspire Recovery, you can find relief from addiction and pursue healing no matter who you love. Call at 561-763-9016 and speak with a representative to learn more about what treatment program can work for you.