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LGBT Community
in Recovery

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In the world of recovery, there are many different kinds of treatment and rehabilitation centers that cater to the various communities in today’s society. For many years there were treatment centers that were strictly men’s programs, or women’s program, some specializing in eating disorders, dual diagnosis, or sex and love addiction. But what about the LGBT (Lesbian gay bisexual transgendered) community? Studies have shown that LGBT individuals are two to three times more likely to experience drug addiction than heterosexuals. This in part can be due to the shame or discrimination that many gays and lesbians endure throughout the process of their lives. Luckily state of the art gay friendly drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers and sober livings are popping up all over the country, providing a safe haven for the LGBT community.

One of the most important aspects in treatment is making sure that the client feels safe in their environment. In return this allows for the client to feel comfortable being open and honest with their feelings throughout the recovery process. Traditional drug and alcohol programs where the majority of the population is heterosexual can make members of the LGBT health community feel reluctant to share and open up about private and personal information from their past. This in part can be due to past experiences where they may have endured various forms of homophobia, prejudice, and judgment. Studies have shown that in these facilities condescending remarks and judgmental attitudes from heterosexual patients and/or staff members can stunt a person’s growth and prevent them from learning as much as possible from their treatment experience. In addition, sometimes the professionals working in treatment centers do not have personal experience or extensive knowledge in regards to certain aspects and issues of the gay community. This can cause a disconnect between the professional and the client, leaving the client unwilling to fully engage in their recovery.

Throughout their lives, many gays and lesbians have had difficult experiences regarding homophobia and discrimination. This can cause various forms of shame and depression and may have been the catalyst of what caused them to turn to drugs or alcohol in the first place. It seems that the best method for treating addiction is by participating in a treatment plan that is as complimentary to the person’s own personal lifestyle. It is important that LGBT individuals are able to make friends and contacts with other sober gay and lesbians so that they may create a support team of peers that fully understands them. Treatment centers that cater to the gay and lesbian community provide clients to see and understand that their sexual orientation is nothing to be ashamed of but rather something to embrace. These facilities provide a safe atmosphere where they can feel comfortable to be open and honest, giving them maximum potential to be successful in leading a happy, sober, and substance free life.


LGBT Resource Links:

LOS ANGELES, CA

Gay and Lesbian Center

www.laglc.org

1625 Schrader Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90028

323.993.7400

APLA (Aids project Los Angeles)

www.apla.org

611 South Kingsley Drive

Los Angeles CA 90005

213.201.160

Van Ness Recovery House

1919 North Beachwood Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90068

323.463.1191

Rainbow Bridge Community Service / Franks House

www.rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org

2530 Hyperion Ave

Los Angeles CA 90027

323.660.2670

McIntyre House

www.mcintyrehouse.org

544 N. Kenmore Ave

Los Angeles CA 90004

La Fuente Sober Community

www.lafuentehollywood.com

323.464.2947

Bridge Sober Living

www.bridgeatmiraclemile.com

323.935.2044

The Tweakers Project

www.tweakersproject.org

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Pride Institute

www.pride-institute.com

14400 Martin Dr

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

952.934.7554

All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church

www.agcmcc.org

3100 Park Ave S

Minneapolis, MN 55407

612.824.4609

Park Avenue House / Grand House

www.sobermn.com

3112 Park Avenue South

Minneapolis MN 55407

612.879.5080

612.290.3091 Grand House

612.205.7124 Park Ave House

Aliveness Project

www.aliveness.org

730 East 38th St

Minneapolis MN 55407

612.822.7946

Minnesota AIDS Project

www.mnaidsproject.org

1400 Park Avenue S

Minneapolis MN 55404

612.341.2060

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Westside Community Services

www.westside-health.org

1153 Oak Street

San Francisco, CA 94117

415.431.9000

NorCal Crystal Meth Anonymous

www.norcalcma.org

415.835.4747

New Leaf Services

www.newleafservices.org

103 Hayes Street

San Francisco CA 94102

415.626.7000

The Center

www.sfcenter.org

1800 Market St

San Francisco CA 94102

415.865.5555

AIDS Health Project

www.ucsf-ahp.org

415.476.3902

1930 Market St

San Francisco, CA 94102

Dimensions Clinic

www.dimensionsclinic.org

415.934.7789

3850 17th St

San Francisco CA 94114

Gaylesta

www.gaylesta.org

510.433.9939

584 Castro Street #230

San Francisco CA 94114

Homeless Youth Alliance

www.homelessyouthalliance.org

1696 Haight St

Stop AIDS Project

www.stopaids.org

415.575.0747

207 Sanchez Street

SanFrancisco CA 94114

Outlet – LGBTQ Youth Services

Bilingual Spanish Language Services

www.projectoutlet.org

711 Church Street

Mountain View, CA 94041

CHICAGO, IL

Center on Halsted

www.centeronhalsted.org

3656 N Halsted

Chicago IL 60613

773.472.6469

Living With Pride

www.livingwithpride.com

2543 W. Cullom

Chicago IL

60618

[email protected]

Valeo at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital

www.chicagolakeshorehospital.com/glbt

4840 N Marine Drive

Chicago, IL 60640

800.888.0560

Chicago House

www.chicagohouse.org

773.248.5200

1925 N Clybourn Ave

Suite 401

Chicago, IL 60614

Howard Brown Health Center

www.howardbrown.org

4025 N Sheridan Road

Chicago, IL 60613

773.388.1600

Aids Foundation of Chicago

www.aidschicago.org

200 West Jackson Blvd

Suite 2200

Chicago, IL 60606

312.922.2322

Better Existence with HIV

www.behiv.org

1244 W Thorndale

Chicago IL 60660

773.293.4740

Bonaventure House

www.bonaventurehouse.org

825 West Wellington Ave

Chicago, IL 60657

773.327.9921

Aids Care Chicago

www.aidscarechicago.org

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