HEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS: ALTERNATIVES TO SUBSTANCE USE FOR LGBTQ+ INDIVIDUALS

Life can be tough, and for LGBTQ+ people, it can feel like the world is weighing them down. The pressure to conform, the sting of discrimination, and the ache of trauma can make it tempting to turn to substances and drugs as a way of escape. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to face this alone, and you don’t have to rely on substances or drugs to cope. There are healthier ways to deal with stress, anxiety, and pain, ways that will lift you up, not tear you down. Imagine finding strength in your community, solace in creativity, and peace in your own skin. Healthy coping mechanisms are within reach, and they can be a powerful tool in your journey towards healing, growth, and self-love. Enough said, let’s look at these alternatives to substance use together and help you live a healthier life.

HOW DO LGBTQ+ PEOPLE COPE WITH ADDICTION

Addiction can be sneaky. At one point, it may be one of your ways to deal; but after a while, it turns into a problem in itself. Substance use isn’t considered a coping mechanism anymore, rather, it turns into a problem in itself. It can permeate every area of an LGBTQ+ person’s life, their responsibilities at work, school, their health, and even how they deal with others. Suffering from addiction is a very personal issue, and some LGBTQ+ people may choose these common maladaptive coping skills:

• Trying to ignore the issue
• Isolating themselves
• Justifying the problem
• Having the bandwagon mentality

The goal of seeking professional help for these people is to reduce these maladaptive mindsets and replace them with better skills for dealing with addiction urges. Essentially, it is best to know what kinds of coping mechanisms are helpful in LGBTQ+ addiction recovery by differentiating between the healthy ones and the unhealthy ones.

HEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS FOR LGBTQ+ STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION

Now that we have acknowledged the struggle, let’s share some amazing coping mechanisms that have helped so many people in the LGBTQ+ community rise above addiction and live better lives.

EXERCISE AND GOOD DIET

Substances can significantly affect the physical health of a queer person, so, getting active and exercising can be excellent coping skills for addiction triggers. Exercise can release dopamine in your body, raise your endorphins, and help you reduce stress and sleep better, which most times helps prevent triggering feelings. It’s also important to remember to eat nutritious meals to nourish your body with nutrients and vitamins in recovery. 

NETWORK

Social support and networking are important components of your recovery success. Talking to your support system about your feelings can help them keep you accountable. Recovery can be difficult, hence, opening up to new relationships and building a sober network is important so you have people to call in times of need.

If you do not have close friends, family members, or loved ones to lean on in stressful events, join online communities, attend their meetings, and build a healthy, supportive group of friends. This way, you can get help staying on track. Take advantage of the social skills you learn in these meetings, as it will help you make lasting relationships and cope better in the future. 

KEEP BUSY

Instead of spending your time seeking and using drugs or substances, or alcohol, try new activities or hobbies that prevent your mind from triggering thoughts or cravings. Do the things you‘ve always wanted to do but never got the chance to. You can develop new skills, try dance classes, learn a new language, draw, paint, or make music. Too much unplanned downtime can lead to increased cravings, hence, you should try to keep your schedule filled with healthy and positive activities that uplift your spirit and keep you emotionally intact. 

ENGAGE IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Recreational activities are healthy means of coping that help replace the time spent on drugs and substance use. As an LGBTQ+ person, you can engage in sports, music, arts and crafts, writing, exploring nature, and other hobbies that interest you. Recreational activities can serve as an outlet for you to express yourself and to provide a temporary respite from the stresses of life. Balance is key, and recreation can help you to achieve a sense of balance in your life instead of feeling overwhelmed.

BENEFITS OF HEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS ON LGBTQ+ PEOPLE

Honestly, it’s like a whole new world opens up when you trade your unhealthy coping mechanisms for healthy ones. So, let’s talk about the amazing benefits that healthy coping mechanisms can bring to the lives of LGBTQ+ people.

MANAGE EMOTIONS

When you face a high level of stress or pressure, it is very common to slip into behaviors to remove that discomfort. Intense emotions for LGBTQ+ people can be difficult to manage. Hence, healthy coping skills can help regulate these emotions. These skills will help you manage emotions in the most beneficial way possible, and restore balance after experiencing stressful events.

PREVENT RELAPSE

Developing healthy coping skills for LGBTQ+ people is essential for maintaining sobriety from substances and alcohol. While addiction treatment centers for LGBTQ+ people can get you on a healthy path, they don’t guarantee lasting sobriety. Due to this, coping skills are a must to help you recover completely, as they support your overall health and help you break free from the cycle of addiction, whether it be substance or drugs.

BOOST CONFIDENCE

Practicing healthy coping strategies as a queer person can help us gain confidence in yourself, your strengths, and abilities. For instance, you decide to replace substance use with exercise or creating art. Just seeing improvements in your body or the creative work you produce can help you feel better about yourself. 

BUILD RESILIENCE

As an LGBTQ+ person struggling with addiction, building healthy coping skills can help you in keeping calm in stressful times, and building resilience for the future. Life is unpredictable and can come at you with a lot of positive and negative changes. By building resilience, you’ll find it easier to face situations head-on, gain confidence in your ability to respond to stress, and you may even be able to help others in times of need. 

FINAL WORDS

Wow, we’ve covered so much ground, and it’s time to go. It feels like we are just getting started on this incredible journey to wellness. I mean, think about it, you now have an entire toolkit of healthy coping mechanisms to play with, experiment with, and make your own. Consider these healthy coping skills as stepping stones towards addiction recovery. You’ve got this! But here’s the thing: I don’t want this conversation to end. I want to keep exploring, discovering, and growing with you. So let’s make a deal, call us at 561-899-6088 or visit Inspire Recovery to join the conversation, share your story, and connect with a community that’s redefining what it means to be LGBTQ+, proud, and thriving.