Creating Affirming and Inclusive Recovery Environments: A Call to Action
LGBTQIA+ Stigma in Addiction Recovery: Lives Lost
Did you know that the LGBTQIA+ community struggles with substance use disorders at a higher rate? Stigma plays a significant role. It can make getting help so hard, sometimes with tragic results. Stigma creates roadblocks to care, hurts recovery, and unfortunately, increases the chances of death within our community.
Understanding the Disparities: Why LGBTQIA+ Individuals Face Higher Risks of Addiction
Why do LGBTQIA+ individuals struggle with addiction more? Several things can play a role. It's essential to understand these root causes. Only then can we start to fix the problem.
The Impact of Discrimination and Societal Rejection
Experiencing prejudice can be soul-crushing. Imagine facing discrimination just for being who you are. Rejection and lack of acceptance hurt mental health. This can lead to substance use as a way to cope.
Trauma and Mental Health: A Vicious Cycle
Trauma can leave deep scars. Hate crimes, family rejection, and bullying are all too common for many LGBTQIA+ individuals. This trauma can create a perfect storm. Mental health issues can occur due to trauma. About 39% of LGBTQ adults have experienced a mental illness. This is more than three times the rate of straight adults. It’s a cycle that's hard to break. When our mental health is impacted substance use can become a coping skill… a way to step out of or away from the pain. A way to become emotionally numb, or mask our feelings.
Lack of Safe and Affirming Spaces
Everyone needs a place where they feel safe and accepted. However, these spaces can be hard to find for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Within Spokane, Washington, and most of the USA, there is a lack of affirmative, supportive recovery treatment options. It’s imperative that we create LGBTQIA+ specific support.
The Stigma Within Addiction Recovery Services: A Major Obstacle
The stigma faced when seeking treatment makes recovery even harder. The fear of discrimination keeps many from seeking help. Or, if help is sought, the stigma faced within treatment settings can cause a person to leave - they are being exposed to MORE trauma, creating a painful cycle that’s difficult to exit.
Implicit Biases and Lack of Cultural Competency
Sometimes, healthcare professionals don't realize their biases. These unconscious biases can affect the care they give. A lack of cultural understanding hurts and it can lead to unequal treatment.
Fear of Judgment and Discrimination
Seeking help is already hard. Now, imagine worrying about being judged or treated unfairly. This fear is real for many LGBTQIA+ individuals. They worry about how staff and other clients will treat them. It sometimes may feel safer to avoid seeking help altogether.
Lack of LGBTQIA+ Specific Programs
Not all treatment programs are created equal. Few programs focus on the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ folks. These tailored programs are crucial. They provide a safe space. They address the unique challenges this community faces. They affirm each person, and more importantly, celebrate each person that they serve.
The Devastating Consequences: Lives Lost to Stigma and Neglect
Stigma has real-world, tragic consequences. It affects LGBTQIA+ individuals battling addiction every day. Lives are lost due to this neglect. We can’t let this continue; we must do better.
Increased Relapse Rates and Overdose Deaths
Stigma can sabotage recovery. It makes it harder to stay sober. High relapse rates can occur. This unfortunately leads to more overdose deaths.
Mental Health Deterioration and Suicidality
Stigma hurts mental health. Lack of support worsens conditions like depression and anxiety. This can also increase suicidal thoughts. It creates a very dangerous situation.
Isolation and Lack of Community Support
Recovery is better with community. But stigma can push people away. Isolation hinders the healing process. Feeling alone makes it harder to stay on the path to recovery.
Creating Affirming and Inclusive Recovery Environments: A Call to Action
We can all make a difference. By creating safer, more supportive environments, we can help LGBTQIA+ individuals. Here are some steps you can take.
Implementing Cultural Competency Training for Healthcare Professionals
Training can change perspectives. Healthcare providers need to understand LGBTQIA+ issues. Training helps them offer better, more respectful care.
Developing LGBTQIA+ Specific Addiction Recovery Programs
Tailored programs are essential. They provide a safe and affirming space for healing. These programs address the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Fostering Peer Support and Community Building
Connecting with others who understand is powerful. Peer support groups offer connection and validation. This builds a strong community.
Resources and Support: Finding Help and Building Resilience
There is help available. Use these resources to find support. Build your resilience in the face of adversity.
National and Local LGBTQIA+ Organizations
Here are a few organizations that help:
The Trevor Project: Focuses on suicide prevention for LGBTQ young people.
GLAAD: Works to reshape the narrative and promote LGBTQ acceptance.
Local LGBTQ centers: Offer community support and resources.
Addiction Recovery Helplines and Treatment Centers
Need help with addiction? Contact these resources:
SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Mental Health Resources and Crisis Support
Take care of your mental health. Reach out to these resources:
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
The LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
Conclusion
Stigma can be deadly for LGBTQIA+ individuals facing addiction. It's crucial to create inclusive spaces for healing. Become an ally. Advocate for change. Promote equal access to care. Your actions can save lives.
The Center for Growth and Development is working to create a program that is uplifting, that focuses on community and celebration, that builds on the strengths of it’s program participants, and most importantly, provides impactful services to support recovery for our 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We’ll be adding some blog posts to go into detail, and share with you our goals, intentions, our expertice, and our love for our community.
