BEYOND SOBRIETY: SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ INDIVIDUALS IN LONG-TERM RECOVERY AND WELLNESS

Hello there! Do you have an LGBTQ+ friend or loved one who is currently recovering from one form of addiction or the other? Is this person stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, fear, and uncertainty, and you don’t know how to help? What if I told you that there are different ways to support LGBTQ+ people in long-term recovery and wellness? Keep reading as we dive into this juicy and most liberating topic.

WAYS TO SUPPORT AN LGBTQ+ PERSON WHO IS STRUGGLING

When an LGBTQ+ person tells you that they are struggling with substance use or drug use, the best thing you can do is listen. This helps them feel supported and accepted by you, and helps you approach their addiction recovery more informed about what they’re going through.

DON’T CRITICIZE

Establishing trust is important when helping a queer person overcome a substance or drug abuse disorder. Using criticisms or threats is one of the easiest ways to destroy trust with this person. Even when trying to help, it is important to understand that causing them additional stress can make things even worse. Avoid saying things like, “ You would quit if you loved me,” as this is more destructive and will cause more harm than good. Rather, set healthy boundaries and respect their privacy to help them build and maintain trust.

LEARN ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DRUG ABUSE

There is so much you do not know about substance and drug abuse. However, the more you learn about substance and drug abuse, the better you can support your LGBTQ+ loved ones and help them through their recovery. You must learn more about their specific substance use disorder and drug use disorder, the types of treatment available, and more. This way, you can provide sound advice to your LGBT+ loved ones if they turn to you for help. By learning more about substance abuse disorders, you can also learn how to prevent both substance and drug abuse problems in the future.

ENCOURAGE THEM

The LGBTQ+ person who is struggling may experience feelings of hopelessness and self-hatred. Offer them words of encouragement, let them know that they are valuable and that addiction does not make them a bad person. Make sure to emphasize that you don’t think of them negatively and that you don’t see them as a burden and act as such.

SET HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

To better help LGBTQ+ individuals with a drug or substance use addiction, it’s often necessary to hold them accountable for their actions by establishing limits or boundaries for what is and isn’t acceptable behavior. Without boundaries, your LGBTQ+ loved one never has to face the consequences of their actions, and you’ll eventually feel burnt out and exhausted from all the attempts to cover up, make excuses, or compensate for their behavior. Establishing boundaries for an LGBTQ+ loved one abusing drugs could be in the form of; insisting on not allowing drug or substance use in the home, not covering up for them if they miss work or school, and not taking over any responsibilities they’ve neglected.

ATTEND A SUPPORT GROUP MEETING WITH THEM 

A great resource for addiction recovery for LGBTQ+ people is a support group, but these can feel intimidating to approach. Attending a support group meeting is a vulnerable step because they are admitting their struggle to several other people. Offering to go with them may help them decide to go and remain consistent in the meetings.

RESTRICT ACCESS TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND DRUGS

If the individual is staying with you in your home, make sure you have nothing in your home that will cause the person to stumble. Encourage the person to remove any harmful items in their home as well.

FINAL WORDS

And that’s where we’ll leave it for now, but not for long! Because here’s the thing: addiction is a lifelong process that requires external support. By following these tips, you can find ways to be there for your friends or loved ones as they recover from any form of addiction. If you or any of your LGBTQ+ loved ones need help or support coming out from substance or drug use addiction, Inspire recovery can help! We provide addiction recovery programs and mental health assistance to help you or your loved ones make a full recovery. Contact us today at 561-899-6088 to get started on the road to recovery and to learn more about our programs.