Getting Addiction Help as Part of the LGBTQ Community

LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. are significantly more likely to have used illicit drugs in the past year compared to heterosexual adults. Substance abuse affects everyone from all backgrounds and from all walks of life, but the LGBTQ+ community faces a higher number of challenges that make these individuals more susceptible to addiction, and that prevent them from getting the addiction help they need.

Addiction can be difficult for anyone to overcome — regardless of who they are, where they come from, how much money they make, and their sexual orientation and identity. But the LGBTQ+ population needs drug and alcohol detox centers that are safe and welcoming for them, that can accommodate their unique healthcare, emotional, and psychological needs, and that offer services aimed at helping LGBTQ+ people fully overcome addiction.

Here’s an in-depth look at common causes of substance abuse among the LGBTQ+ community and what you can do to help an LGBTQ+ loved one find the treatment they need to become physically and emotionally healthier and addiction-free.

The LGBTQ+ Community and Addiction

Roughly 31% of U.S. adults who identify as LGBTQ+ have used illicit drugs in the past month, while only 16% of heterosexual adults have done the same. According to the same SAMHSA survey, marijuana is used by 28% of LGBTQ+ adults, and is used by just under 15% of heterosexual adults. Binge drinking and opioid use are similar among LGBTQ+ people and heterosexual people.

SAMHSA found that LGBTQ+ people are more likely than heterosexual people to suffer from substance abuse and mental health disorders in their lifetime. In 2023, 29% of LGBTQ+ adults and teens in the U.S. suffered from a substance use disorder at some point in the year, compared to 16.6% of the heterosexual population.

Underlying Causes of Substance Abuse for LGBTQ+ People

LGBTQ+ people become addicted to drugs and alcohol for many of the same reasons as non-LGBTQ+ people, but face different social and emotional challenges that increase their risk for substance abuse. For instance, some struggle with their self-images as they work toward finding their sexual identities or gender identities, or have experienced violence or trauma from bullies and sexual predators or from family rejection. These individuals will often use drugs and alcohol as a way to mask feelings of stress, depression, trauma, and other mental symptoms, interfering with their ability to navigate comfortably and confidently through everyday life.

Here are other common causes of substance abuse among the LGBTQ+ population.

Guilt and Shame

Some who identify as LGBTQ+ may experience chronic feelings of guilt and shame surrounding their identities. They may feel as if they’ve let down their friends and family for not being heterosexual, or as if there’s something wrong with them for being attracted to members of the same sex or for being nonbinary or transgender.

Guilt and shame can also be driven by isolation — especially for LGBTQ+ people who have faced rejection due to their sexual or gender identities, because they may lack a strong support system of friends and family. It can be especially isolating for those who are unable to connect with other LGBTQ+ people in their communities, such as those in rural areas where there might be few other LGBTQ+ people. Having to conceal information about their identities can often trigger psychological distress, accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame.

Minority Stress

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Minority stress is a term that describes the chronically high levels of stress experienced by those belonging to minority groups that commonly face stigma, such as the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ people who suffer minority stress may be regularly subject to social stigma, prejudice, and discrimination surrounding their sexual identities. For instance, a lesbian couple who want to have children may face opposition and discrimination from community members who believe children should only be raised by heterosexual couples.

Minority stress can even be triggered as a result of having to navigate around laws and policies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ people, especially regarding housing, employment, and health care. For example, some states require transgender people to undergo sex reassignment surgery before their gender identities can be legally recognized. But this law can be problematic for transgender people who wish to maintain their ability to procreate or people who can’t afford the exorbitant costs of these surgeries, and this can induce feelings of stress, frustration, and hopelessness surrounding living with their gender identities.

Mental Health Disorders

People who suffer mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD are twice as likely to also suffer a substance use disorder, and vice versa. A person who suffers from mental illness and addiction at the same time is said to have a dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders. Many who struggle with mental illness will use drugs and alcohol to manage their symptoms.

The LGBTQ+ population tends to suffer higher rates of mental health conditions than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts, meaning their risk for substance abuse is also significantly higher. Several large population-based studies find that LGBTQ people tend to suffer higher rates of depression, suicide, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, and drug use disorders compared to the non-LGBTQ+ population.

LGBTQ+ Culture

In many U.S. communities, LGBTQ+ people can socialize and interact freely with their LGBTQ+ peers at clubs, bars, and other events that commonly encourage drug and alcohol use. Historically, many LGBTQ+ communities have been centered on activities that fuel substance abuse, and that makes it difficult for people to avoid common triggers that can lead to addiction. Peer pressure and environment are two driving factors and common causes of substance abuse among the LGBTQ+ population, especially those who are heavily active in the LGBTQ+ community.

Why Many LGBTQ+ People Avoid Getting Addiction Help

According to SAMHSA, there were 6.4 million LGBTQ+ people with substance use disorder in 2023, but only 29,000, or 0.4% of these individuals received addiction help. That means over 99% of the LGBTQ+ population with substance use disorders are continuing to suffer from addiction without getting a professional drug and alcohol detox and treatment.

Unfortunately, many of these individuals avoid seeking treatment for fear of experiencing some of the same problems that led to their addiction in the first place, such as constant discrimination, homophobia, prejudice, and even violence. Though each LGBTQ+ person may have their own unique reasons for avoiding addiction treatment, limited treatment options and fear of discrimination in recovery are among the most commonly cited reasons.

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Limited Treatment Options

Many employers do not offer healthcare benefits for same-sex partners and their children, meaning that LGBTQ+ workers who lack health insurance may avoid seeking addiction treatment due to financial strain. Fortunately, many drug and alcohol detox centers understand the stigma and discrimination that surrounds those who identify as LGBTQ+, and can work around barriers including a lack of health insurance to help these individuals find affordable treatment.

LGBTQ+ people who decide to move forward with seeking addiction treatment are often faced with the task of weeding out drug and alcohol detox centers that lack the experience and training needed to properly serve this population. For instance, those who have had sex reassignment surgery and who choose to recover from addiction at an inpatient detox center need access to medical staff who can administer and oversee hormone replacement therapy in addition to drug detox.

LGBTQ+ people who live in areas where this type of care is unavailable may continue suffering from addiction under the impression that getting treatment is nearly impossible. A data analysis study found that just 17.6% of addiction treatment centers and 12.6% of mental health facilities offered specialized LGBTQ+ programs.

Fear of Discrimination in Recovery

Fear and anxiety surrounding the risk of discrimination in recovery is another valid reason LGBTQ+ people may avoid seeking addiction help. LGBTQ+ people often worry about the discrimination they may face from medical staff and whether the staff will provide improper care due to discrimination.

Many LGBTQ+ people must disclose their sexual orientation at the time of intake and assessment, and face the risk of experiencing hostility and discrimination from doctors, therapists, and other rehab staff. Research shows that people who identify as questioning or queer tend to have a higher number of negative healthcare experiences than their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans counterparts.

LGBTQ+ people may also face challenges with peers in group therapy and 12-step support meetings who are outspoken about their own views regarding sexuality and sexual orientation. This can worsen feelings of stress, anxiety, fear, and depression among LGBTQ+ patients and interfere with their ability to speak openly about their struggles with addiction without being judged. Family therapy can also prove problematic for LGBTQ+ patients who have yet to reveal their sexual identities to family members or who have family members who refuse to accept the person’s identity.

Find the Best LGBTQ-Friendly Detox Centers

If you identify as LGBTQ+ or have a loved one who identifies as LGBTQ+, Detox.com can help you find the best LGBTQ-friendly treatment centers that can meet all your unique healthcare needs. Use our drug detox directory to find treatment centers in your area, or explore rehab centers in a city or state you feel would enhance your recovery from addiction.

Here are tips that can help you get started on your search for the best LGBTQ-friendly drug and alcohol detox centers.

Make a List of Your Needs

Devise a list of all the accommodations and services you’re looking for in an addiction treatment center, along with specific healthcare needs you’ll require during treatment. Be sure to prioritize and rank your most important needs. Some may need treatment centers that offer or oversee hormone replacement therapy, while others may need safe inpatient environments where patients are monitored closely 24/7 to reduce the risk for violence and assault.

Research Your Options

Look for drug and alcohol detox centers offering services that cater specifically to the LGBTQ+ community. These services and programs should be able to help you overcome personal, social, and psychological challenges unique to the LGBTQ+ population.

Seek out treatment centers that teach you how to manage and respond to discrimination, and how to overcome peer pressure when attending LGBTQ+ events. Also, search for treatment centers that will work on helping you accept your identity and become more comfortable with who you are, and that can treat you for underlying mental health disorders that coexist with your addiction.

Contact the Best Facilities

After narrowing down your LGBTQ-friendly treatment options, contact your top choices to confirm you or your LGBTQ+ loved one can receive professional treatment as deserved, and that the facilities offer services that can meet all your needs.

If you need help finding an LGBTQ-friendly treatment center, call our confidential helpline at 800-996-6135(Sponsored) to discuss your needs in private.