LGBT Sober Living Homes
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While anyone can experience addiction to drugs or alcohol, the disease can have a heavy impact on certain populations, including the LGBT community. Creekside Recovery Residences provides LGBT sober living homes in order to give those who need it a safe space to live while overcoming substance use disorders. Our homes are located in popular areas and feature a host of amenities that make your life easier. Staying with us provides a much-needed balance of a safe, substance-free living environment and access to sobriety-related treatment.
How Does Addiction Affect the LGBT Community?
A 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that sexual minority adults, which in this case includes those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, experience addiction in greater numbers than their counterparts. For example, approximately 21.8% of this population had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) during the past year. This is almost double the 11.0% of those in the overall population who had an AUD.
In the same year, about 41.3% of the same group of sexual minority adults used marijuana the previous year. This is more than twice as many as the 18.7% of the overall population who used this drug. Additionally, 6.7% of the survey participants misused opioid drugs while only 3.6% of the overall population did. Overall, members of the LGBTQ community are more likely to arrive at a treatment program having more severe substance use disorders than their counterparts.
The trans community also experiences addiction in great numbers. For example, a study showed that 47% of transgender adults surveyed said they engaged in binge drinking at least once in the previous three months. This compares to only 17.1% of members of the general population that binge drink.
Because of the prevalence of addiction within this community, it’s important that members have access to LGBT sober living homes. This provides them with a safe haven to live in while they work on overcoming their addictions.
Our Locations
Halfway House in Tampa
Our halfway houses in Tampa provide modern housing for those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Additionally, they can work on learning to manage their mental health.
Halfway House in Atlanta
Our homes are located in desirable, safe neighborhoods in Atlanta, Georgia. Each home is clean and comfortable with modern amenities that include smart TVs and Wi-Fi.
Sober Living in St. Petersburg
Our St. Petersburg sober living homes are located just minutes from St. Petersburg beach, local to 12-step meetings and employment opportunities.
Benefits of Staying in LGBT Sober Living Homes
Many benefits come from choosing an LGBT sober living home. While treatment options remain similar to other types of homes, ones specific to the LGBT community can make a real difference to its members. These benefits include the fact that a person does not have to hide the fact that they identify as LGBT. These types of homes provide nurturing, supportive environments that accept everyone.
Residents can enjoy socializing and peer support with each other, which helps them recognize challenges unique to them. Someone lacking support from their loved ones is able to feel accepted among co-residents. In addition, a huge benefit comes from the fact that the staff of LGBT sober living homes does not judge anyone for their sexual orientation or preferences. They understand the challenges the community faces and help them reach their full potential when it comes to getting sober.
How Are Substance Use Disorders Treated?
When it comes to treatment for substance use disorders, it’s important to dig below the surface. Addictions are never as simple as being a lack of willpower to stop using drugs or alcohol. Instead, they are complex diseases that need professional help in order for the person to overcome them.
Treatment centers around engaging in several types of therapy proven to help people with substance use disorders. These therapy modalities help people understand things like what contributed to developing their addiction. From there, they learn healthy coping skills that help them avoid succumbing to relapse.
People also learn to overcome substance use disorders by challenging their assumptions and establishing healthier relationships with themselves. As well, attending family therapy can help an entire family unit learn how to communicate with each other effectively and support their loved one in recovery.
Anyone experiencing withdrawal symptoms can seek relief from prescription medications. Meds can also help alleviate any emotional symptoms that may surface during recovery, such as feelings of anxiety or depression.
The Link Between Addiction and Mental Illness
As it is, about half of the people who have an addiction to alcohol or drugs also deal with at least one diagnosable mental health disorder. The LGBT community proves more likely to deal with a co-occurring mental illness than others. Gay men, lesbians, and bisexual people report higher amounts of feeling mentally distressed and having depression than others.
Within the transgender community, children and adolescents experience higher levels of depression than others. They also have increased incidents of self-harm, eating disorders, and suicidal feelings than their non-transgender peers.
Addiction and mental health disorders often co-exist for a couple of reasons. Someone who has an addiction can find that it influences the development of a mental health disorder or increases the symptoms of one the person already has. Alternatively, a person who suffers from something like depression or anxiety may begin abusing drugs or alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate. LGBT sober living homes often provide access to treatment for mental health disorders in order to serve their clients in all their needs.
Therapy Services Available From LGBT Sober Living Homes
LGBT sober living homes typically do not provide therapy services within the house itself. Instead, they provide access to multiple types of therapy the person attends outside the home. These include choices such as:
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Holistic Therapy
- Psychiatry, including medication management options
Many sober living homes provide case managers who oversee the person’s journey through treatment and help connect them to the resources they need. Many homes also provide recovery coaching and sober companions. These approaches partner the individual with someone who can help guide and nurture them during the recovery process and also keep them focused on their goals. Medication management may also be an option for those taking prescription drugs to help ease withdrawal symptoms or treat symptoms of mental health disorders.