Understanding LGBTQ Trauma and Addiction

Feeling comfortable in your own skin is important to all of us. The idea of feeling comfortable with oneself may often come up for people in the LGBTQ community. If you do not feel accepted by the people you love, it can lead to self-medicating with drugs and alcohol to numb the discomfort. When you are suffering from LGBTQ trauma and addiction, you need to ensure you find the right addiction treatment therapy programs for your individual needs and comfort.

At BrightView, we understand that addiction treatment is not one size fits all. We offer LGBTQ addiction treatment that provides caring, nonjudgmental help that addresses the whole person’s needs. Call us today at 888.501.9865 to find out more about our welcoming outpatient addiction treatment programs.

Addiction Within the LGBTQ Community

Members of the LGBTQ community have a much higher risk of using drugs or alcohol and developing addictions. Substance use disorder is about more than just the substance itself. Stress, anxiety, and depression can all lead up to substance use. Strained relationships can also be an important factor in the development of an addiction. How does this affect people who are LGBTQ? Here are some of the reasons behind the higher rate of addiction within the LGBTQ community:

• Stress, anxiety, and depression are extremely common within the community.
• Mood disorders and eating disorders are frequently found within the community.
• Many members of the LGBTQ community may deal with feelings of lack of acceptance from others.
• Members may face discrimination or harassment in their environment.
• Some people in the LGBTQ community may isolate themselves due to fear of rejection.
• Some members do not feel completely comfortable in their own skin and may suffer from internalized homophobia.

As you can see, the above factors can be extremely challenging to deal with on top of your other life obligations. For individuals in these situations, alcohol and drugs may seem to provide the only relief.

Trauma in the LGBTQ Community

When we think of trauma, we often think of someone who has experienced or witnessed war, military combat, a major accident, or an act of violence. When referring to trauma among the LGBTQ community, the circumstances will look much different. Trauma is the result of being subjected to a scary or intense event. For people who are LGBTQ, this could mean:

• Being the target of a hate crime
• Being bullied
• Being rejected by family members
• Being the victim of a sexual assault
• Being homeless

Among the LGBTQ community, trauma can frequently be caused by ongoing situations rather than by one specific event. Over time, this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is common among those who are LGBTQ. Members may go through life feeling fearful and on edge, possibly isolating themselves to avoid being confronted with more rejection or harassment. For many, alcohol and drugs are the ideal way to escape feeling this way.

To help encourage healing and recovery, LGBTQ trauma and addiction need to be treated in outpatient treatment programs that are trauma-informed, accepting, and well-versed in the struggles of the LGBTQ community.

Find Caring, Nonjudgmental Treatment for LGBTQ Trauma and Addiction at BrightView

At BrightView, we realize the importance of treating the whole person at our outpatient addiction treatment programs near Columbus. We offer comprehensive LGBTQ addiction treatment that addresses trauma and any other underlying issues that may have led to addiction. When you enroll in one of our addiction treatment therapy programs, you can expect a welcoming atmosphere that will help you process and heal from trauma while kicking drug and alcohol addiction. Call us today at 888.501.9865 to get started on your path to healing from LGBTQ trauma and addiction.