Louisville, Kentucky Addiction Treatment & Recovery Services LGBTQ+ Program

Overview of the LGBTQ+ Community and Addiction

When you think about what makes the ideal environment for an addiction treatment program, you are probably going to think about the community. What is the culture like in the program, and who do they help? Do you feel safe? Are you able to be your true self without concern about how you will be received? These are all things to consider in a treatment center.

For members of the LGBTQ+ community, there is no doubt that a personalized program is the ideal setting for getting help. While steps have been made toward reducing discrimination and homophobia in society, there is still plenty of room for growth.

It is not uncommon for members of the LGBTQ+ community to be hesitant to ask for help when struggling with an addiction. For some, a piece of this is a history of negative experiences when asking for help regarding physical or mental health concerns. There could also be concerns based on negative experiences that friends and family have had. This hesitation is a way to protect oneself from being hurt.

We are seeing that LGBTQ+ individuals who do come to treatment for an addiction, are coming with more severe use disorders. A study done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2019 found that approximately 86.4% of LGBTQ+ individuals who were struggling with addiction, were not looking for treatment. This treatment gap illustrates the work still needed to be done regarding health treatment for the LGBTQ+ community.

A 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that more than one-third of LGBTQ+ individuals reported using marijuana in the past year, which was higher than the overall adult population. In the same survey, 9% of LGBTQ+ individuals reported using opioids in the past year, while the rate for the overall adult population was 3.8%. The reported abuse of prescription opioids was higher than what was observed in a 2017 survey. Other commonly abused substances found in the report were prescription tranquilizers, cocaine, and hallucinogens.

Why Treatment Personalized for the LGBTQ+ Community is Successful ​

Research done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) shows that personalized treatment programs for the LGBTQ+ community result in better treatment outcomes. Individuals get more out of the treatment program and have more success in their sobriety after treatment.

Treatment programs that are not personalized may still, unintentionally, carry unintentional messages that are harmful to the LGBTQ+ community. And while treatment programs can do their best to create an environment of safety and inclusion, there is always a risk of discrimination.

Individuals of the LGBTQ+ community are deserving of the same level of care and compassion as anyone else. A large piece of treatment programs is having a sense of safety to start working on some intimate and difficult aspects of our lives. A personalized program that is mindful of the increased mental health and addiction risks that the LGBTQ+ community face, can make a difference in your recovery process.

The Benefits of an LGBTQ Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Research into the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to addiction is growing, and this is helping professionals better understand changes that can be made to make treatment more impactful. It is also highlighting the importance of personalized treatment for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) developed a manual in 2012 for health professionals about substance abuse treatment approaches that are sensitive to the LGBTQ community. The manual covers cultural, health, clinical, and legal concerns that may be applied as well as alliance building. This manual is popular among personalized treatment programs because it covers specific challenges that the general population may not experience.

The suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth are four times higher than among heterosexual youth. Approximately 30.8% of transgender individuals have considered attempting suicide. The rate for individuals who identify as bisexual is 7.4%, and 4.4% for those who identify as gay or lesbian.

The prevalence of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD is higher within the LGBTQ+ community. This does not come as a surprise based on the level of discrimination, rejection, and harassment LGBTQ+ individuals face. Not to mention places that refuse service. Personalized treatment programs take into consideration and work to address mental health concerns as well as treat addiction concerns.

After looking at the significant prevalence of mental health concerns within the LGBTQ+ community, you can see why we should have personalized treatment programs. There are several shared experiences within the LGBTQ+ community that heterosexual individuals do not have.

The use and misuse of drugs and alcohol can be used to mask mental health struggles an individual is facing. Professionals work to identify mental health struggles and educate individuals about healthy coping skills that can be used to manage them. A healthy recovery from drugs and alcohol will not be possible if we don’t address underlying mental health struggles.

Choosing to attend a personalized LGBTQ+ program is a way to give yourself a running start on your recovery journey. By doing so, you will be in a safe, compassionate, and welcoming environment for you and your needs.

Get Help from Our LGBTQ Residential Treatment Center

At our LGBTQ+ drug rehab, we offer personalized treatment for the LGBTQ+ community. Within this program, the amount of care and support that you receive will be specific to you and your addiction. We recognize that everyone’s addiction is different, and feel that their recovery should be adjusted to reflect these differences. We are proud of our judgment-free zone and the care we provide.

We do offer Residential Inpatient program that offers comfortable living arrangements so you can focus on your recovery journey during the day by engaging in evidence-based addiction treatment with our trained Mental Health Professionals.

We offer a Partial Hospitalization Program. With this option, you would be able to stay at home and come to the recovery center for 4 to 6 hours per day 3 to 5 times per week. This is ideal for individuals who are unable to stay within the treatment center and would benefit from the intensity of the Residential Treatment program.

We offer an Intensive Outpatient Program. Our IOP program is determined case by case, and typically includes 15-25 hours of group therapy and one hour of individual therapy. We are open six days a week for your convenience. The frequency of your group schedule will be tailored to your individual needs.

Our Outpatient treatment usually involves group and individual therapy. We tailor your treatment schedule to your needs and your availability to get to treatment. Research has shown that group therapy has better outcomes when compared to individual therapy for addiction treatment. It is important to note that there is still value in individual therapy.

After completing our outpatient program, we offer an aftercare program that allows you to still engage in group therapy for support on a much smaller scale. This program works great for individuals who wish to remain connected after completing Outpatient treatment.

Lastly, we offer a Family Program. Addiction impacts more than the individual struggling with alcohol or drugs. Family members are impacted as well and deserve time and support to work through their own experiences so that the family, as a whole, can begin to navigate what life looks like after treatment.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, mental health concerns, or sexual identity, know that there are treatment programs developed to be sensitive to your needs. We invite you to call us at (502) 912-1038. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and see where we can help you.