LGBT Drug Treatment Blog

It should be noted from the start that recovery in itself is quite an ambiguous concept in that it truly means whatever the individual says it means. For some, recovery signifies a formal drug rehab treatment with rigid structure and a definitive process. Others identifying as being in recovery might make a general promise to themselves to cut back on their substance usage.

GLBT students have two strikes against them. On the one hand, students in general may seek recovery even less as their very lives revolve around this social atmosphere where AOD is present. This is then compounded further by the fact that many researchers conclude that GLBT individuals seek and succeed less than heterosexuals in their process of recovery. There are a few reasons why this proves to be the case.

Many structured drug rehab programs speak of a higher power, putting faith in whatever the individual’s higher power may be to advance through the program. For GLBT students this may be especially difficult. Vivian Cass, in her fantastic student development theory, speaks of a stage in developing a positive GLBT identity when the individual “may isolate themselves from mainstream values and activities”. A direct result of this may be a disconnect between the GLBT student and any form of religion or higher power, concepts to which “mainstream” society holds true. Thus, recovery becomes difficult for the GLBT student as they may not possess the anchor that many recovery programs recommend that you cling to.

Another key concept of recovery is that of “People, Places and Things.” Simply stated, “People, Places and Things” holds that when the individual seeking recovery makes a change in the people that they hang out with, the places that they go, and the things or activities that they do, the recovery process can progress. For example, if someone who has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol stops hanging out with friends who get drunk nightly, stops going to the bar, and stops playing drinking games, they may begin to decrease their amount of alcohol consumption. The equation is not a complicated one.

Let’s now apply this math to our focus group. Take the GLBT student. Subtract the people with whom he associates, the places he goes, and the things that he is doing. For many GLBT students, you have taken away his gay friends, the gay bars and clubs that he is frequenting, and the same-sex socializing in which he partakes. Essentially, you have just subtracted his entire gay identity.

Suggesting ways to deal with this issue of GLBT recovery is not as clear-cut as our earlier examples. First, one must look around for GLBT specific recovery programs. Here, the World Wide Web can be an extremely helpful asset. or an GLBT specific anonymous group are a great place to start. The trick is to find one in your area. Go to, www.gay-rehab.com

Second, we again go back to the importance of having an GLBT organization on campus or a wide range of substance-free programming. We must challenge “People, Places and Things” by giving the GLBT student on your campus evidence that there is more to being GLBT than AOD, that there are a host of activities that have zero to do with AOD, and that the GLBT student can construct a positive, healthy identity without every stepping into a gay bar or club. Only then, can we begin to address that strong link between LGBT and AOD and truly start to construct a healthy campus climate for our gay students.

If you have a drug addiction or alcohol addiction and are looking for a gay friendly drug or alcohol rehab program go to www.lakeviewhealth.com or call the national addiction treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225