Finding LGBTQAI+ Friendly Recovery

Heidi Bitsoli

Sunshine Behavioral Health | Editor, Author, Content Writer 

Heidi Bitsoli has been a content writer with Sunshine Behavioral Health since 2019, where she researches and writes articles, guides, and blog posts on mental health and addiction. Prior to that, she wrote extensively on health, medicine, business, and human-interest topics for a variety of clients. Her writings have appeared in numerous university publications, magazines, newspapers, and websites. She has a degree in English from Lake Superior State University in northern Michigan. A lifelong lover of learning, she enjoys researching and writing about the complexities of mental health.

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You are a unique individual with your own preferences and needs, and when it comes to treatment, there is no one-size-fits-all approach that works best for everyone. This is particularly true when it comes to finding LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery. Being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community presents special challenges, and the best way to address substance abuse, treatment, and recovery is to seek recovery resources that support LGBTQIA+ clients and the unique issues they face.

What Is LGBTQIA+ Friendly Recovery?

LGBTQIA+ people face risk factors for addiction and struggles in recovery that some therapists might not understand. Finding an LGBTQIA+ friendly-recovery center, therapist, or sponsor can be game-changing for someone in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Gender nonconforming people may be prone to feelings of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, and people in recovery may struggle with co-occurring disorders like PTSD, personality disorders, mood disorders, and other conditions.

One of the key aspects of LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery is affirming therapy. In affirming therapy, the therapist or counselor validates and affirms a client’s LGBTQIA+ identity. Affirmation and validation empower the client to embrace their sexual orientation and gender identification as they are.

LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery means the staff, support crew, therapists and counselors, and peers in a treatment center or recovery program should be supportive and well-informed of the LGBTQIA+ community and the common issues people in the community face.

Why Is LGBTQIA+ Friendly Recovery Important?

There is a strong link between mental well-being and sexual orientation or gender identity. Sobering statistics suggest LGBTQIA+ adults are at least twice as likely to be diagnosed with one or more mental health issues than heterosexual adults, while transgender adults are about four times more likely than cisgender adults to have a mental health condition. And a survey of transgender people found that an alarming 40% of respondents had attempted suicide at least once.
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The numbers don’t lie: The community needs proper mental health care to address these issues. And individuals in LGBTQIA+ recovery need LGBTQIA+ friendly-recovery resources in order to effectively address these problems and maintain sobriety and mental well-being in the long term. Comprehensive care can help resolve the myriad of additional risks and problems LGBTQIA+ people in recovery face every day. Every member of the LGBTQIA+ community seeking recovery deserves an LGBTQIA+ friendly support system that truly understands them and the stressors they face.

Finding LGBTQIA+ Friendly Recovery

​There are a few really good ways to find the best LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery resources for you. You could query using internet search engines, ask your local LGBTQAI+ center for help, or search online databases for nearby resources.

• Search engine – Enter “LGBTQIA+ friendly-recovery” or “LGBTQAI+ treatment center” plus your location in the search bar of your preferred search engine to get a list of nearby treatment centers or recovery resources. You can also search for “LGBTQAI+ friendly therapists” or “LGBTQAI+ AA meetings” to find counseling and group therapy meetings near you.

• Ask a local LGBTQIA+ center – Your local LGBTQIA+ community center or nonprofit organization can provide a slew of helpful resources, and you should be able to get some trusted recommendations for great LGBTQIA+ recovery and treatment options, group meetings, and therapists in your area. Use this location finder to find a center near you.

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• Use online databases: Databases such as SAMHSA.gov allow you to use filters to find recovery resources in your area based on location, insurance, specialties, and more.

What To Look for in LGBTQAI+ Recovery

Licensing – Make sure the recovery center, treatment program, counselor, or therapist you choose is licensed in the state they practice in.

Specialization – In addition to catering to LGBTQIA+ clients, you may want to ensure your chosen facility or program offers the options you need, like affirmative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, suicide prevention, etc.

LGBTQIA+ community – While it isn’t a requirement that an LGBTQIA+ person have an LGBTQIA+ specific recovery program, there are some benefits to it. LGBTQAI+ staff, peer groups, and therapists can understand your struggles because they’ve likely had their own similar experiences. And LGBTQIA+ clients may feel more comfortable talking about issues unique to them with someone who is also LGBTQIA+.

Free consultation – Most recovery programs offer a free consultation before you decide to work with them. This provides an opportunity to get a better idea of the program’s approach to therapy and LGBTQAI+ issues. Some questions you may want to ask during the initial consultation include:
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• Do you provide LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery?
• Are any staff members in the LGBTQIA+ community?
• How many years of experience do you have providing LGBTQIA+ recovery?

You may also want to ask questions about the type of therapy provided, how long the program is, whether there are inpatient and outpatient options, and what kind of mental health conditions they treat.

Additional LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Resources

• The Trevor Project focuses on providing mental health resources for LGBTQIA+ youths. Contact them by phone, text, or online chat.

• LGBTQIA+ National Help Center operates three age-specific hotlines – one each for adults, youths, and people ages 50 and over. Chat online with support volunteers or join one of their weekly moderated youth group chat rooms.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – This resource is geared toward anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts. While not specifically directed toward the LGBTQIA+ community, experienced, supportive volunteers can help. If you are in crisis or considering self-harm, please do not hesitate to call the Lifeline.

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• OutCare Public LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resources – find mental health services, youth groups, shelters, support groups, primary health care, recovery programs, and more in all 50 states.

If you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community and struggling with substance abuse, addiction, or recovery, the mental health and LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery resources listed here can help you improve your life.
You may need to contact several sources before finding the right one, but with a little time and research, you can find the LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery options that are best for your needs.

Sources

namica.org - Mental Health and LGBTQI Communities: Challenges, Resources, Community Voices

samhsa.gov - Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions

Sunshinebehavioralhealth.com - Home Page 

screening.mhanational.org - How do I find LGBTQ friendly therapy?

sdsisters.org - The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

outcarehealth.org - OutCare Public LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resources 

samhsa.gov - SAMHSA 

thetrevorproject.org - The Trevor Project 

glbthotline.org - LGBTQIA+ National Help Center
 
suicidepreventionlifeline.org - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
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outcarehealth.org - OutCare Public LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resource