GLBTQ Drug and Alcohol Treatment

What is GLBTQ drug and alcohol treatment?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has published treatment recommendations for those offering treatment to the GLBTQ community. The reasons are simple. A range of issues that are specific to this group of addicts and alcoholics will not generally be addressed in a general addiction population community.

Therapists who are not trained in the issues relating to this population will not be able to fully address important core dynamics affecting the GLBTQ population. For example, sexual orientation, biological sex, and gender identity are all different. Each one has a specific role that is intrinsic to how one defines his or her identity and any relevant life experiences. Understanding how self is defined and life is experienced is a basic element for successful addiction treatment.

While many treatment facilities state that they treat GLBTQ patients, the number of LBGTQ programs is small. Such programs have counselors, therapists, physicians, nurses, clinicians who are attuned to heterosexism and homophobia, guilt, self-loathing and the impact these topics have upon the individual patients of this demographic. Furthermore, in some parts of the country GLBTQ clients may not have access to treatment because of provider discrimination, or a facility’s inability to handle the issues that are part of the GLBTQ lifestyles.
(source: SAMHSA, http://www.kap.samhsa.gov/products/manuals/pdfs/lgbt.pdf)

A quality GLBTQ program should contain the same core elements present in other medically, evidenced- based drug and alcohol treatment programs. These components include individual therapy, drug or alcohol addiction education, group therapy, a variety of behavioral, cognitive, motivational therapies, as well as 12 Step programs, relapse prevention, nutrition and exercise and aftercare plans to name a few.