Addictions N LGBTQ Individuals

> > As we all know, life in the LGBTQ community is very different from life > > in the straight, cis or allied communities. The same is true for > > addiction. Addiction is a global issue, which is blind to color, gender, > > age or sexual preference. Modern science now tells us that addiction is > an > > inheritable condition. Sadly, it still affects millions > > 2015/06/01/america-is-n > > eglecting-its-addiction-problem> of people worldwide - including members > > of the LGBTQ community and their loved ones. > > > > What’s even more heartbreaking is that, according to the US Centers for > > Disease Control and Prevention, LGBTQ individuals experience higher rates > > addiction-not-same-stra > > ight-addiction> of substance abuse and are less likely to abstain from > > drugs and alcohol than other individuals. There is also an increased risk > > for heavy drinking for a longer period of time. > > > > Addiction can be devastating not only to the addict but also to their > > loved ones. It is not unusual for addiction to create fights, lead to > > infidelity, increase risky behaviors such as fraud, or lead to separation > > and divorce. Rather than watching helplessly while addiction ruins your > > partnership or marriage, there are some things you can do to empower > > yourself while potentially saving your relationship. > > > > First and foremost, it is important that you find a treatment facility > > trained to specific address the unique needs of LGBTQ addicts. For > > instance, does the treatment program welcome other members of the LGBTQ > > community? Does it address underlying issues of shyness, depression, > > anxiety, isolation or loneliness - all of which are commonly experienced > > by LGBTQ individuals of all ages? Are the professionals at the chosen > > treatment facility experienced with and compassionate to the needs of > > LGBTQ > > individuals, especially regarding any traumas they might have experienced > > in the past? > > > > Because some facilities may falsely advertise themselves as being > > LGBTQ-friendly when they really have a very low LGBTQ population (or > staff > > who are inexperienced with unique LGBTQ needs) many experts recommend > > actually visiting the treatment facility prior to enrolling, so that you > > can ask questions and get a feel for how many other LGBTQ individuals are > > currently attending. > > > > Getting the addict into addiction recovery treatment is just the first > > step. The addict’s spouse or partner will also need to work a twelve step > > program specifically created for the loved ones of addicts and > > alcoholics. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon > > are excellent and free support > > groups for the families, partners, spouses, children, friends and loved > > ones of those who have struggled with drug and/or alcohol addiction. > > > > We typically associate twelve step programs with addicts and alcoholics. > > Why does the addict’s loved one also need to work a twelve step program? > > The answer to this question is very complex. As we already know, > addiction > > damages relationships and causes trauma to the loved ones of the addict. > > Support groups like the ones listed above offer a special type of twelve > > step program to assist loved ones with self care, building healthier > > boundaries, and breaking any codependent cycles that might exist. In > > addition to reducing drama triangles within relationships, this also > > teaches the loved one how to let go of unhealthy behaviors which might > > have accidentally helped to enable the addiction. > > > > Whether you are the addict or whether you are simply trying to help a > > loved one, many of the suggestions offered in this article can help you > > break the cycle of addiction and codependence. With proper treatment > which > > specifically focuses on compassion towards the unique needs of the LGBTQ > > community, there is hope for addiction recovery, as well as a potential > > to save your relationship, your marriage, improve your health > > , and possibly even > > save your life. > > > > > > Laura Pearson > > ***ADMIN NOTE***This post is a guest post. It focuses on the subject of addictions. The writer doesn't touch on the topic of missing persons, but addictions are involved in many missing persons cases. Her focus is on its effect on the lives of Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual.Transgender/Questioning (LGBTQ) persons. The admin may not agree with the the lifestyles of LGBTQ individuals, but they are human beings whose lives has dignity as the lives of anyone else. And because of the way this article was styled, it comes in a different format from how I write my posts. It is by Laura Pearson and it is italicized and in bold. The author's implied view on LGBTQ marriage equality does not represent the view of this blog's admin. This photo was provided by the author and can be found here.