Taking the step to go to rehab is huge. Facing an addiction is one of the hardest experiences a person endures. When a person who is LGBTQ+ is considering rehab, there are additional concerns that need to be raised to make a person feel safe and welcomed.Societal attitudes and discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community have long been problematic.Unfortunately, it often feels that with one step forward, there are two back.Weve seen huge setbacks against the LGBTQ+ community with recent Trump policies.Though many states had strong legislation around protected characteristics and hate crime, the new legislation only recognizing two sexes and ending programs relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, reopens the door to ongoing discrimination.LGBT people are five times more likely than non-LGBT people to be victims of violent crime.(1) Being the victim of hatred for simply being who you are leads to severe trauma for many LGBTQ+ people.At LGBTQ and ALL, our aim is to support you to find helpful safe spaces where youre welcomed just as you are. Finding an LGBTQ+ rehab is important for those with addiction issues.The benefits of going to an LGBTQ+ rehabFor the LGBTQ+ community accessing an LGBTQ+ rehab makes all the difference for future outcomes. Being in an environment where people support, are understanding and have awareness, is crucial.This type of support offers an optimum space to begin healing.The benefits of a stay at an LGBTQ+ rehab include:Safety. When youre in a LGBTQ+ safe space such as a rehab that is LGBTQ+ positive, staffunderstand the community and issues related to it. There is compassion and all endeavor tonurture a space of safety and security which is essential to recovery.Validation. Rehab staff value and support you to finding your positive qualities and worthiness.Your experience as an LGBTQ+ person is relevant and youll be welcomed to share about allparts of who you are.Open-minded and accepting staff and other patients. The attitudes of people who stay atLGBTQ+ rehab clinics are non-judgmental, open-minded, and inclusive.Recovery and healing is much easier in an environment where you can be yourself, feel safe, and are around people who are open-minded and compassionate to your experience.LGBTQ+ people and comorbid conditions at RehabThose who go to rehab struggle with a variety of health issues. Mental health as well as physical health has usually reached a point of severe deterioration.Its common for people in the LGBTQ+ community to have comorbid conditions; along with theaddiction there are other illnesses, too.These are outlined below:Anxiety and/or depression are commonly found alongside substance abuse. Its often difficult to tell what came first, the mental health issue, or the addiction. Either way, rehab offers a great environment to access professional help for both.Eating disorders and addiction might be dual-diagnosed. Sometimes, people control appetiteusing substances. Specialist therapists are on-hand.Low self-esteem is extremely common in the LGBTQ+ community and this is addressed intherapies and group work.A dual diagnosis of substance addiction and addiction to porn, sex, or dating apps. ManyLGBTQ+ rehabs combine therapies targeting different issues to provide full support.Self-harm, whether through substances or causing physical harm to yourself is addressed intherapy.At LGBTQ and ALL, we support our community to find the right alcohol detox treatment center to unpick deep trauma through deep emotional processing and coming to understand and accept the self.Finding a rehab with a holistic and person-centered approach is key. Youll want one which offers a wide variety of therapies.What types of therapy are available at LGBTQ and ALL rehabs?What types of therapy are available at LGBTQ and ALL rehabs?Detox treatments include supporting you to physically quit a substance. Especially importantwhen addicted to alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates, youll be prescribed medication towean you to sobriety safely.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is frequently employed at rehab to support patients to learnhow reframe thoughts. This helps to guide new patterns of behavior.Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is useful for those requiring support around emotionaldifficulties. This is especially relevant where deep emotional trauma has occurred.Family therapies can sometimes be prescribed. Where families have experienced relationshipbreakdowns, mediation and therapeutic input can help shift dynamics and reignite healthierconnections.Peer-led groups are especially useful in finding shared understanding of living with addiction as an LGBTQ+ person.Holistic therapies via art and music offer alternative ways to process addiction, emotions, and personal histories.At rehab, youll develop techniques to help you manage emotional challenges and trauma, as well as building your health and wellness.The reality of being LGBTQ+ and facing discriminationThough no-one should have to suffer discrimination, the reality is that marginalized communities do. In2024, 11,862 hate crime incidents were reported by law enforcement agencies via the FBI.(2) This includes crimes related to race and disability.Focusing in on the LGBTQ+ community, its reported that 106.4 out of 1000 LGBTQ+ people arevictimized. This is in contrast to 21.1 out of 1000 non-LGBTQ+ people.(1) Thats basically five times the amount of LGBTQ+ people being targeted.Its essential, as well, to keep in mind that this also only accounts for incidents that are reported. There will be many that remain hidden. Also relevant is the fact that hate crime laws vary across states.(3) This, too, will influence if and how crimes are reported.In 2012, it was estimated that between 20 percent to 30 percent of gay and transgender people abuse substances in contrast to 9% of the general population.(4)With the increase in likelihood of facing discrimination and persecution, its not surprising that somepeople turn to substances as a coping mechanism.Why the LGBTQ+ community are less likely to go to rehabThe majority of the LGBTQ+ community face discrimination at school, college, work, from professional organizations, in the media, and even most damagingly, from family and social circles, and even governments. Fear of, and the consequences linked to, discrimination can become one of the biggest barriers to treatment.The fact that the community is under-represented despite being one of the most highly impacted by addiction is telling.The LGBTQ+ and All platform helps people to overcome this barrier by supporting you to find rehabservices that really help.Why going to an LGBTQ+ rehab makes all the differenceGoing to an LGBTQ+ rehab will support you to quit the addiction, but on top of this, itll help you toembrace your queer identity and to develop meaningful friendships with open-minded others. Often,these relationships go on to last a lifetime.What to do if its time to treat your addictionIf youre reading this, its likely that youve realised and accepted that you have a substance abuseproblem. This is the first step to recovery. The next is accepting that its a severe and complex medical condition and you require treatment.To get the treatment you need, its helpful to discuss your situation with an understanding professional who will listen and give you personalized advice.You can contact specialist professionals on the LGBTQ+ and ALL website. Just scroll to the bottom of the page to find help in your area.The post Addiction Rehab for LGBTQ+ appeared first on LGBTQ and ALL.