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Finding Lgbtqia+ Friendly Detox Centers

LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of substance abuse and mental illnesses. The minority stress model helps explain the cause. Queer people looking for a detox facility should seek an LGBTQIA+ friendly environment.

Finding LGBTQIA+ Friendly Detox Centers

For the LGBTQIA+ community, finding a detox center requires a bit of research.

The Minority Stress Model

In 2003, Ilan H. Meyer proposed the minority stress model in the Psychological Bulletin academic journal. Since then, many psychologists have used the model to understand the way stress influences substance use disorder (SUD) in gender, romantic, and sexual minorities. The model has developed into a tool for addiction treatment in LGBTQIA+ populations.  

External stigma-related stress causes general psychological reactions and internalized stigma-related stress. The different kinds of stigma-related stress include victimization, discrimination, cisheteronormativity, lack of representation, stereotyping, and systemic disadvantages. General psychological reactions and internalized stigma-related stress cause one another in almost a cyclical way. They then combine to cause mental and behavioral problems. This, then, causes physical health problems.

The minority stress model helps explain the need for LGBTQIA+ specialized SUD treatment. Many factors in this model uniquely impact gender, romantic, and sexual minorities.

Stress is one of the most significant factors contributing to relapse. Coping tools for these issues are crucial to long-lasting sobriety. Inclusive practices are necessary to combat the fear created by these stressors. 

How to Tell if a Detox Center Is LGBTQIA+ Friendly

If an LGBTQIA+ person is seeking treatment, they may be concerned about finding a detox center that accepts them and their identity.

There are traits in a center that individuals can look for. If a person finds a detox center that espouses the following traits, they have probably found a place that will offer them the support they need.

Zero-Tolerance Bullying Policies

No matter how inclusive of a space a detox program creates, not everyone will treat LGBTQIA+ people with the respect they deserve. Other patients may harass them for their identity. Individuals should seek out a treatment program with a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. If one patient persistently bullies another, the program should expel them from the center.

This protects everyone, but it especially safeguards minorities in the detox program. Individuals will not be able to heal if they are dealing with homophobia, biphobia, aphobia, transphobia, etc. 

Name and Pronoun Policies

Using a person's chosen name and pronouns may seem like the bare minimum; unfortunately, it is not something everybody enforces. If a detox center strictly uses people's chosen names and pronouns, they will likely offer a safe space for all queer people.

This practice offers gender affirmation for trans and nonbinary patients. It also signals that the center cares about LGBTQIA+ issues. Individuals may or may not be directly impacted by name and pronouns depending on their specific identity within the community, but they will know that the center's staff actually cares about the queer community. 

Choice Placement in Gendered Groups

Socially, there can sometimes be a benefit to gender-specific therapy groups. This creates an issue for people in the LGBTQIA+ community, though. LGBTQIA+ individuals do not always conform to gender norms. If a center offers the choice between which gendered group a person will attend, it creates inclusivity. 

Binary trans people can choose to attend the group that matches their gender rather than their sex. If there is not a specific nonbinary group, nonbinary trans people can attend the group they align with most comfortably. Gender nonconforming people can choose what will benefit them the most, a group that matches their presentation or a group that matches their gender identity.

This trait will be especially helpful if an individual falls outside gender norms. If not, at least they know the center cares enough about queer people to consider their needs.

Life Partner(s) and Queerplatonic Partner Inclusion

Sexual or romantic minorities should look for a center that recognizes all forms of long-term partnerships. People with life partners or queerplatonic partners will know that the treatment program will value and include their partners as much as any spouse.

Those without partners will know that they are in a community that acknowledges the existence of various sexual and romantic identities. Individuals are more likely to succeed in the program if they feel seen and heard.

LGBTQIA+ Trained Staff

For the best outcome, individuals should attend a detox program with LGBTQIA+ trained staff, especially mental health professionals. It is not simply enough that a person is accepting; LGBTQIA+ trained staff members need to understand LGBTQIA+ societal factors. They will better understand community traumas and how the political climate impacts struggling individuals. It is crucial for overall safety that individuals have access to LGBTQIA+ trained staff. It will lead to more stability and the most mental health improvements. 

Support Group Options

Some people in the LGBTQIA+ community are spiritual. Others have faced traumas at the hands of religious organizations. If a program is inclusive of gender, romantic, and sexual minorities, it will offer multiple types of support group options.

They will include things like Alcoholics Anonymous for those that want a higher power focus. They will also include programs like SMART Recovery for those who would do better without any talk of gods or spirituality. 

Better Outcomes

Programs with a narrow understanding of queer people will lean one way or another. Because of this, individuals will have a better outcome if they find a drug detox center that has an inclusive understanding of sexuality and gender. In addition to offering individuals more options, this will tell them that the detox center understands the complexity of the LGBTQIA+ community. They are not simplifying a diverse group of people into one perspective on life.

Being seen, heard, and accepted will result in a better therapeutic outcome.

Find a LGBTQIA+ Detox Center Today with DetoxNearMe.com!

People in the LGBTQIA+ community may hesitate to seek treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). DetoxNearMe.com can help you find a treatment center that focuses on the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.

You deserve to enter treatment knowing you're getting the best care. We work with the best facilities all across the United States. Finding a detox center near you that matches your needs is as easy as logging on and searching. Find a LGBTQIA+ detox center now with DetoxNearMe.com!

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