Celebrating Pride is significant, whether as a member of the LGBTQIA2s+ community (which we’ll collectively refer to in this article as LGBTQ), a person maintaining sobriety, or both. Allies can help, too, especially by breaking down barriers to LGBTQ health equity. By taking pride in your recovery and extending vital wellness resources to others, you create a platform that lifts everyone to new heights.
Why Shared Recovery Awareness Matters
Unfortunately, someone who identifies as LGBTQ faces numerous alcohol and substance challenges. Additionally, Mental Health America reports that “LGBTQ+ adults are three times as likely to experience a mental health disorder than individuals who identify as straight.” There are several reasons why, including but not limited to social stigmas, discrimination, violence, generational trauma, and daily living challenges. Tragically, individuals in the LGBTQ community also have higher rates of suicide.
Sometimes, simply sharing your story and extending a helping hand is what people need most—but it’s still not quite enough in some cases. A research study based on data from The PRIDE Study focused on what benefits “sexual and gender minority individuals” receive from participating in 12-Step groups and what harms might exist in those circles as well.
“Findings reveal a nuanced understanding of the role of support in 12-Step programs through both beneficial connections (sense of community, shared experiences, and skill provision and sharing) and harmful environments (marginalization and oppression and violence and bullying),” researchers note. The unfortunate presence of bullying and even violence in 12-Step programs points to the importance of supporting people “in overcoming and coping with potential harms that can emerge through” mutual aid peer groups like these.
Another study initiated by the University of Kansas indicated that the cognitive behavioral program, SMART Recovery, has the same impact on members of the LGBTQ community. While it shows promise as a long-term health support system, the pervasive challenges many LGBTQ people face also served as blocks to just how much they were able to embrace SMART techniques. Additionally, “some participants said they would rather not focus on issues of sexual orientation or gender identity and simply discuss alcohol and substance use and recovery.”
So speaking up and out on numerous levels of recovery really matters to foster inclusion.
LGBTQ Resources to Share
While Pride has great historical significance, it’s also a progressive movement for prompting LGBTQ+ civil and health rights. Whether you identify as LGBTQ, are questioning, want to be a stronger ally, or are in recovery from addiction and mental health issues, knowing where to turn for guidance and support is critical to the momentum of your health journey. Use the following links to help yourself and others be more connected, supported, and informed.
988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline
You are never alone, and help is always available by phone, text, or online chat.
This professional agency promotes its vast network of local, state, and national LGBTQ community centers and their services listed in a comprehensive directory.
As a resource for children of LGBTQ caregivers, this nonprofit “stands as the only national organization dedicated to the empowerment of youth in LGBTQ+ families.”
The primary focus of GSA is LGBTQ racial and gender justice through the advocacy of queer, trans, and allied youth leaders for safer schools and healthier communities.
This organization provides education and information on developing healthy relationships, as well as a 24/7 national youth helpline available by phone, text, or online chat.
The mission of MMAA is to support the LGBTQ+ military and Veteran community by upholding and expanding “the civil rights progress made on behalf of the LGBTQ+ military and Veteran community through education, advocacy, support networks, and discrimination tracking.”
PFLAG Crisis and Suicide Prevention
This is “the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.” Here are important hotlines and other resources for members of the community and allies to access.
The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
GLMA is “the world’s oldest and largest association of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and allied health professionals.” Individuals can find providers, participate in research, and seek out other resources.
Launched in 2013, this national initiative aims to “connect our communities—LGBT people and our families, friends, and allies—with the new health insurance coverage options available under the Affordable Care Act.”
A project of the Tegan and Sara Foundation, QHA “fights for health, economic justice, and representation for LGBTQ girls and women.”
This community-driven site of patients and providers promotes LGBTQ health equity by allowing people to “rate and review their health and wellness providers to help others.”
Fair Oaks: Your Wellness Ally
Our addiction treatment center in Sacramento earned the status of a licensed Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospital, issued by the California Department of Public Health to addiction rehabilitation and dual diagnosis treatment facilities that provide high-level acuity care. However, our grounding philosophy is to honor the human dignity of every person we work with, and we feel privileged to support a change process with our safe space of inclusion. Our board-certified professionals not only acknowledge collective challenges, but also strive to embrace each individual’s background and provide customized solutions for their future success as a whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
