# RISK OF ADDICTION HIGHER AMONGST THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY?

Even though our society and culture is significantly more open and welcoming nowadays to people who express their sexuality differently, coming out remains an intricate and deeply confusing process. So is living as a young adult possessing a queer identity.

While more resources can be found, there is a disconnect between how the majority are “packaged” and the extent to which they're accepting of alternative lifestyles.

Unfortunately, the risk of addiction is **[does weed slow down your reaction time](https://oncalltreatment.com/does-weed-slow-down-reaction-time/)** to alcohol or drugs in the LGBTQ community is often much higher, for many different reasons and a confluence of circumstances that few can understand.

The only way to combat this phenomenon is by understanding the root causes of these debilitating issues, and the ways where community-based resources can enhance their utility for the betterment of LGBTQ lives.

Listed here is a quick primer on the conditions that would hopefully cause a greater comprehension of these risks.

**Battling stigma**

The stress of coming out may differ in line with the degree of acceptance an individual finds within their community.

While strides have now been manufactured in the rights of LGBTQ individuals that were perhaps unfathomable decades ago, it's still tough to express, a transgender or lesbian teen.

Things aren't always easy and progress does not need a streamlined trajectory towards justice – to very loosely paraphrase a famous saying from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

There is still a lot of stigmas and sometimes added visibility in entertainment isn't enough.

Members of the LGBTQ community continue to suffer a lot of stigma and prejudice that have an immediate impact on the quality of life. Although some big cities tend to be more amenable to the community, not everyone has the financial resources to go there.

Facing discrimination at school, in the workplace, or social isolation within the household unit still happens. This will cause a huge amount of stress and anxiety, with people looking to various substances for comfort.

**Quality of services**

There shouldn't be described as a one size fits all policy in regards to [**www.oncalltreatment.com/programs/reality-therapy/**](https://oncalltreatment.com/programs/reality-therapy/) offering treatment to different communities, but unfortunately, the therapeutic services offered have not at all times been able to generally meet the unique needs of people who are struggling with addiction.

Different communities have reached higher danger of addiction than others for reasons unique with their circumstances. Proper treatment of addiction relies upon those working in a rehab clinic understanding the nuances of these issues and to be able to get to the root causes.

Sadly, just a handful truly understand the requirements of the LGBTQ community and are alert to the ways where methods tailor-made for their particular concerns can help.

**The mental health connection**

It had been briefly touched upon the quantities of stress members of the LGBTQ community are subjected to, but there's no underestimating the direct correlation between that and the bigger danger of addiction.

Or, some mental medical issues are dealt with badly in regards to dealing with the LGBTQ population and some conditions are often misunderstood.

The particular mental health needs are often underrepresented although, again, a one size fits all way of therapy has consistently which can be an albatross.

Therefore, the inability of some rehab clinics to handle the particular emotional and psychological needs of men and women identifying as queer, gay, lesbian, or transgender often results in a level greater sense of stigmatization, which will be then sublimated in drug abuse or alcoholism.