Alabama LGBTQIA+ Friendly Alcohol & Drug Rehabs (18)

Alabama LGBTQIA+ Friendly Alcohol & Drug Rehabs

The LGBTQIA+ community faces a unique set of physical, behavioral and lifestyle factors in their everyday lives that render them at increased vulnerability all across the country, and the cultural climate in Alabama can make a life for this community especially difficult. Between discrimination, fear for their lives and safety, the pressure to fit in with their families and communities and the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, the LGBTQIA+ community of Alabama need targeting and in-depth care resources for when they start self-medicating with alcohol and other drugs.

There are more and more specialized rehabs in the state that cater to the specialized needs of this routinely marginalized population.

The Plight of Alabama’s LGBTQIA+ Community

Data from UCLA’s Williams Institute indicates that over 80 percent of LGBTQIA+ residents in Alabama feel their community is routinely discriminated against in the state. There are approximately 104,000 LGBT residents in Alabama and around 3,300 same-sex couples. Despite these strong and growing numbers, many residents in this community find themselves barred from basic elements of community life, including civic engagement. There are currently no state or local laws on the books protecting Alabama’s LGBT employees from workplace discrimination. This pervasive culture of marginalization and mistreatment can very easily lead to a strain and decline of mental health, leading many to turn to substance use disorder as a means of escape.

Treating SUD in the LGBTQIA+ Community

Treatment for substance use disorder in the LGBTQIA+ population must include acute medical care for associated conditions in addition to targeted and intuitive behavioral therapy to help patients effectively contextualize and manage the adversity they’ve faced related to their identity. If you or someone you care about is a member of Alabama’s LGBTQIA+ community in need of substance use disorder treatment, start browsing our database of treatment centers today to find the one that works best for you.

Resources:

• The Williams Institute - williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/