I almost started laughing at the question as to what a gay friendly alcohol rehab was. What did an alcohol rehab have to do to be gay friendly. Did the alcohol rehab have to have special interior decorating, bright color and style? We know better, but ti was not always like that.
Historically, most alcohol rehab programs were designed to treat the disease of addiction and alcoholism, regardless of sexual orientation. As time passed and addiction treatment professionals gained additional experience in addiction treatment, specialty programs began to spring up all over the country. There was an alcohol rehab program for men, an alcohol rehab for women, an alcohol rehab program for Christian's, but it appeared that most of the alcohol rehab programs expected the gay population to "just fit in".
While this alcohol treatment program approach worked for some, many gay, lesbian and bisexual's felt out of place, scared and discriminated against, making effective addiction treatment almost impossible. In order to treat the gay population effectively, one of two things had to happen; either design an all gay alcohol rehab or an alcohol rehab termed a gay friendly alcohol rehab.
While an all gay alcohol rehab is self explanatory, what did an alcohol rehab program need to do to be gay friendly and provide effective alcoholism treatment. The answer had a complex solution as the typical alcohol rehab approach needed to change a bit. First, the entire addiction treatment staff needed to be educated and sensitized to the needs of the gay individual. They needed to be taught about their lifestyle, homophobia, hetero sexism, coming out and the host of issues the gay community faces. Each staff needed to be assessed as to their homophobic attitudes and educated accordingly.
Secondly, a group specific to gay addiction treatment issues needed to be developed, with a therapist trained in the areas specific to the gay population. This alcoholism treatment group would meet several times a day in conjunction with all the other addiction treatment services offered in the alcohol rehab.
Lastly, for a gay friendly alcohol rehab to be effective in the treatment of alcoholism or drug addiction, it must have a comprehensive family recovery component. This family recovery component needs to be much more than a family session once a week. There needs to be at least a four day period of time that the entire family is together at the alcohol rehab with the family therapist to resolve any outstanding issues within the family system. Issues within a gay family unit can be complex and hard to understand, so time at the alcohol rehab is needed. For the patient, meeting within the gay friendly alcohol rehab can provide them support as they come face to face with some of the shame they have carried for years.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Drug Addiction or Eating Disorder: Which Came First?
When a person enters drug rehab or an addiction treatment facility and is diagnosed with a drug addiction and eating disorder, the question arises which addiction developed first and how do you treat two addictions?
First, let us define an eating disorder as the quality of one’s thinking as it relates to food and weight and not how much someone weighs. Then, we may take a look at various behaviors and address other criteria. In most cases, one’s thinking regarding food and weight became distorted way before they ever began using drugs or alcohol. It is not uncommon that after a period of time of trying to achieve certain self determined goals through binging, purging or restricting and not achieving those goals, that the person would turn to drugs as a means to accelerate the process or deal with the emotional whirlwind of depression, shame or self hatred. At this point we have an eating disorder and drug addiction going full throttle in an attempt to by the person to gain control. It rarely happens and is described as the “great illusion” by most treatment professionals.
How To Treat Drug Addiction And Eating Disorders
When entering a drug rehab or addiction treatment program with an accompanying eating disorder, the goal should always be patient safety. If the patient is not in a life threatening situation due to their disordered eating, then the individual usually enters detox for their drug addiction. After detox is completed, the person’s behavior as it relates to their eating disorder will be addressed. Whether it is binging, purging or restricting, the patient must be willing to address the behavior to achieve recovery. Realizing that abstaining from the eating disorder behavior will initiate cravings for drugs, the clinical staff at the addiction treatment facility must be acutely aware of the possibility of relapse. During this process, the addiction treatment facility must also address the issue of whether they are the appropriate setting for the patient and if not make a referral to another drug rehab or eating disorder facility.
First, let us define an eating disorder as the quality of one’s thinking as it relates to food and weight and not how much someone weighs. Then, we may take a look at various behaviors and address other criteria. In most cases, one’s thinking regarding food and weight became distorted way before they ever began using drugs or alcohol. It is not uncommon that after a period of time of trying to achieve certain self determined goals through binging, purging or restricting and not achieving those goals, that the person would turn to drugs as a means to accelerate the process or deal with the emotional whirlwind of depression, shame or self hatred. At this point we have an eating disorder and drug addiction going full throttle in an attempt to by the person to gain control. It rarely happens and is described as the “great illusion” by most treatment professionals.
How To Treat Drug Addiction And Eating Disorders
When entering a drug rehab or addiction treatment program with an accompanying eating disorder, the goal should always be patient safety. If the patient is not in a life threatening situation due to their disordered eating, then the individual usually enters detox for their drug addiction. After detox is completed, the person’s behavior as it relates to their eating disorder will be addressed. Whether it is binging, purging or restricting, the patient must be willing to address the behavior to achieve recovery. Realizing that abstaining from the eating disorder behavior will initiate cravings for drugs, the clinical staff at the addiction treatment facility must be acutely aware of the possibility of relapse. During this process, the addiction treatment facility must also address the issue of whether they are the appropriate setting for the patient and if not make a referral to another drug rehab or eating disorder facility.
Gay Men at Increased Risk for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism
Gay Men Appear at a Greater Risk for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism
According to research, it appears that gay men and women are at a greater risk of developing drug addiction or alcohol addiction than heterosexuals. Homosexuality is associated with issues such as internalized homophobia, shame, prejudice, discrimination, all fertile ground for the development of drug addiction or alcoholism. Different than most populations, all of the issues mentioned above, seem to be fostered within the family system and therefore are present from day one.
The Gay Family System and Drug Addiction
For a moment imagine being parents and waiting for the day your son or daughter announces the day of their wedding, only to find out they are gay / lesbian and that day will never take place or that they will never have children the conventional way. It is rare a family is accepting of the situation and offers encouragement. The day of "coming out" is usually met with shock, anger, disappointment, embarrassment or denial. In most cases, these emotions are presented in a less than productive manner creating deeper feelings of shame, resentment or depression on the part of the gay man or woman. When this occurs, what better way to cope than to turn to alcohol or drugs. This is generally the beginning of their drug addiction or alcoholism. The problem here is that it does nothing to change others beliefs or the way the gay man feels. Drug Addiction or alcoholism just turns an already complex situation into a more difficult one.
Mental Illness, Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, Dual Diagnosis and the Gay Man or Woman
When we research gay drug addiction, gay drug rehab, crystal meth addiction or gay alcoholism we find an increase in gay drug addiction or gay alcoholism across the board. When taking a look at gay drug addiction and gay drug rehab admissions, we have to take a look at associated mental health issues. It appears that the majority of gay men admitted to gay drug rehab suffer from a co- occurring mental health disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder just to name a few. As with drug addiction or alcoholism this is easy to understand when one examines the challenges a gay man or woman has to face. Growing up in a predominantly heterosexual society with strong views on sexuality, homophobia is something a gay man or gay woman must face on a daily basis. When faced with constant difficulties relating to family, relationships, self worth, sexual identity anyone's mental health is sure to be challenged. When many gay men or women are faced with feelings of depression, they turn to drugs or alcohol which in most cases ends up in a drug addiction or alcohol addiction. This is referred to as dual diagnosis; a mental health disorder in conjunction with drug addiction or alcoholism.
Gay Drug Addiction and Gay Drug Rehab
While there has been an increase in drug addiction and alcoholism among gay men and women, the number of gay drug rehab programs has not increased at the same rate. Whether it is a gay drug rehab, gay addiction treatment program or gay component in a drug rehab, addiction treatment services for the gay and lesbian population need to become more available. If you are looking for a gay drug rehab or drug rehab with a gay component, you might want to look into www.lakeviewfreedomrings.com.
According to research, it appears that gay men and women are at a greater risk of developing drug addiction or alcohol addiction than heterosexuals. Homosexuality is associated with issues such as internalized homophobia, shame, prejudice, discrimination, all fertile ground for the development of drug addiction or alcoholism. Different than most populations, all of the issues mentioned above, seem to be fostered within the family system and therefore are present from day one.
The Gay Family System and Drug Addiction
For a moment imagine being parents and waiting for the day your son or daughter announces the day of their wedding, only to find out they are gay / lesbian and that day will never take place or that they will never have children the conventional way. It is rare a family is accepting of the situation and offers encouragement. The day of "coming out" is usually met with shock, anger, disappointment, embarrassment or denial. In most cases, these emotions are presented in a less than productive manner creating deeper feelings of shame, resentment or depression on the part of the gay man or woman. When this occurs, what better way to cope than to turn to alcohol or drugs. This is generally the beginning of their drug addiction or alcoholism. The problem here is that it does nothing to change others beliefs or the way the gay man feels. Drug Addiction or alcoholism just turns an already complex situation into a more difficult one.
Mental Illness, Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, Dual Diagnosis and the Gay Man or Woman
When we research gay drug addiction, gay drug rehab, crystal meth addiction or gay alcoholism we find an increase in gay drug addiction or gay alcoholism across the board. When taking a look at gay drug addiction and gay drug rehab admissions, we have to take a look at associated mental health issues. It appears that the majority of gay men admitted to gay drug rehab suffer from a co- occurring mental health disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder just to name a few. As with drug addiction or alcoholism this is easy to understand when one examines the challenges a gay man or woman has to face. Growing up in a predominantly heterosexual society with strong views on sexuality, homophobia is something a gay man or gay woman must face on a daily basis. When faced with constant difficulties relating to family, relationships, self worth, sexual identity anyone's mental health is sure to be challenged. When many gay men or women are faced with feelings of depression, they turn to drugs or alcohol which in most cases ends up in a drug addiction or alcohol addiction. This is referred to as dual diagnosis; a mental health disorder in conjunction with drug addiction or alcoholism.
Gay Drug Addiction and Gay Drug Rehab
While there has been an increase in drug addiction and alcoholism among gay men and women, the number of gay drug rehab programs has not increased at the same rate. Whether it is a gay drug rehab, gay addiction treatment program or gay component in a drug rehab, addiction treatment services for the gay and lesbian population need to become more available. If you are looking for a gay drug rehab or drug rehab with a gay component, you might want to look into www.lakeviewfreedomrings.com.
A Gay Drug Rehab Component in a Heterosexual Drug Rehab: The Best Of Both Worlds
Treatment Aspects of Inpatient Drug Rehab
Generally speaking, a drug rehab or alcohol rehab is best described as an inpatient addiction treatment facility specializing in the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and dual disorders. Most of the individuals that attend drug rehab go through detox initially, to be followed by the inpatient drug rehab portion of treatment which is clinically driven. Historically, everyone with a variety of disorders or sexual preferences are treated together and expected to adapt. I feel this philosophy is flawed and the expectation placed on patients might be unrealistic. In far too many cases, the issues patients bring into drug rehab or alcohol rehab far exceed their initial ability to just "fit in". This is especially true with gay drug addiction and issues such as; internalized homophobia, coming out, gay relationships and a host of others.
Is a Completely Gay Drug Rehab Best
As advances have been made in the area of gay addiction treatment and gay drug rehab, two distinct philosophies seem to have been adopted. The first is a drug rehab or alcohol rehab which is totally focused on treating the gay, lesbian population. This gay drug rehab only admits gays to addiction treatment. While this might prove beneficial for some segment of the gay population, it might not be realistic for others. Addiction treatment or drug rehab should resemble the real world and an entirely gay drug rehab is not the real world. It is not what the the recovering gay person will face after they are discharged from their gay drug rehab. They will be discharged into a predominantly heterosexual world and all the challenges associated with dealing with heterosexual prejudice, discrimination, homophobia etc.
The Benefits of a Gay Drug Rehab Component
The other philosophy of providing addiction treatment for the gay population in a drug or alcohol rehab lies in developing an gay addiction treatment component within the drug rehab. This provides the gay addict or alcoholic with group settings specific to their population allowing them a safer place to discuss intimate issues they are not yet ready to discuss with a heterosexual. On the other hand, they will still be encouraged to participate in more generalized clinical activities with the rest of the drug rehab community. This drug rehab design allows for the gay person a "safe space" where they will not feel judged and at the same time allow them to practice what they have learned in their groups. To take things a step further, it will also allow the heterosexual to practice recovery skills such as acceptance, unconditional love and honesty.
Generally speaking, a drug rehab or alcohol rehab is best described as an inpatient addiction treatment facility specializing in the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and dual disorders. Most of the individuals that attend drug rehab go through detox initially, to be followed by the inpatient drug rehab portion of treatment which is clinically driven. Historically, everyone with a variety of disorders or sexual preferences are treated together and expected to adapt. I feel this philosophy is flawed and the expectation placed on patients might be unrealistic. In far too many cases, the issues patients bring into drug rehab or alcohol rehab far exceed their initial ability to just "fit in". This is especially true with gay drug addiction and issues such as; internalized homophobia, coming out, gay relationships and a host of others.
Is a Completely Gay Drug Rehab Best
As advances have been made in the area of gay addiction treatment and gay drug rehab, two distinct philosophies seem to have been adopted. The first is a drug rehab or alcohol rehab which is totally focused on treating the gay, lesbian population. This gay drug rehab only admits gays to addiction treatment. While this might prove beneficial for some segment of the gay population, it might not be realistic for others. Addiction treatment or drug rehab should resemble the real world and an entirely gay drug rehab is not the real world. It is not what the the recovering gay person will face after they are discharged from their gay drug rehab. They will be discharged into a predominantly heterosexual world and all the challenges associated with dealing with heterosexual prejudice, discrimination, homophobia etc.
The Benefits of a Gay Drug Rehab Component
The other philosophy of providing addiction treatment for the gay population in a drug or alcohol rehab lies in developing an gay addiction treatment component within the drug rehab. This provides the gay addict or alcoholic with group settings specific to their population allowing them a safer place to discuss intimate issues they are not yet ready to discuss with a heterosexual. On the other hand, they will still be encouraged to participate in more generalized clinical activities with the rest of the drug rehab community. This drug rehab design allows for the gay person a "safe space" where they will not feel judged and at the same time allow them to practice what they have learned in their groups. To take things a step further, it will also allow the heterosexual to practice recovery skills such as acceptance, unconditional love and honesty.
Drug Addiction and Alcoholism: Relapse Prevention
Addictive behaviors do have special characteristics related to the social environments in which they originate. All of the environmental cues surrounding initial drug or alcohol use and development of the addiction actually become "conditioned" to that drug use and are thus critical to the development of the addiction. Environmental signals are paired in time with an individual's initial drug use experiences and through classical conditioning, take on conditioned stimulus properties. When those signals are present at a later time, they elicit anticipation of a drug experience and thus generate drug craving. Trigger-induced craving is one of the most frequent causes of drug use relapses, even after long periods of abstinence. Environmental triggers help explain why reentry to one’s community can be so difficult for addicts leaving the controlled environments of a drug rehab, addiction treatment center or alcoholism treatment center. It is no wonder that so many people that are chemically dependent cannot simply return to their home environment immediately after completing their drug rehab, addiction treatment or alcoholism rehab program.
People often assume that because drug addiction begins with a voluntary behavior and is expressed in the form of excess behavior, people should just be able to use willpower to stop their drug addiction. However, it is essential to understand when dealing with addicts and alcoholics that we are dealing with individuals whose brains have been altered by their drug addiction or alcoholism. These people are in need of drug rehab or alcoholism treatment.
Observing that there are very few heroin addicts in their 50s or 60s, people frequently ask what happened to those who were heroin addicts 30 years ago. The common belief is that these people must have recovered on their own. However, studies find that only a very small percentage actually quit on their own. The rest have either been successfully treated in a drug rehab or addiction treatment center, are currently in methadone maintenance treatment programs, with the remainder being deceased. We know that, contrary to common belief, very few addicts or alcoholics just stop on their own.
In order for an individual to prevent relapse, they must make a decision to comply with the addiction treatment or alcoholism treatment regimen. Research shows us that lack of addiction treatment or drug rehab compliance is the main cause for relapse among addicts and alcoholics. Few recovering addicts or alcoholics fully realize just how diligent they have to become in following addiction treatment or rehab suggestions in order to maintain long term recovery. We encourage anyone interested to learn more about what happens in a drug rehab program and how to help someone in treatment prevent or overcome relapses.
People often assume that because drug addiction begins with a voluntary behavior and is expressed in the form of excess behavior, people should just be able to use willpower to stop their drug addiction. However, it is essential to understand when dealing with addicts and alcoholics that we are dealing with individuals whose brains have been altered by their drug addiction or alcoholism. These people are in need of drug rehab or alcoholism treatment.
Observing that there are very few heroin addicts in their 50s or 60s, people frequently ask what happened to those who were heroin addicts 30 years ago. The common belief is that these people must have recovered on their own. However, studies find that only a very small percentage actually quit on their own. The rest have either been successfully treated in a drug rehab or addiction treatment center, are currently in methadone maintenance treatment programs, with the remainder being deceased. We know that, contrary to common belief, very few addicts or alcoholics just stop on their own.
In order for an individual to prevent relapse, they must make a decision to comply with the addiction treatment or alcoholism treatment regimen. Research shows us that lack of addiction treatment or drug rehab compliance is the main cause for relapse among addicts and alcoholics. Few recovering addicts or alcoholics fully realize just how diligent they have to become in following addiction treatment or rehab suggestions in order to maintain long term recovery. We encourage anyone interested to learn more about what happens in a drug rehab program and how to help someone in treatment prevent or overcome relapses.
Drug Addiction or Alcoholism: Which Is Easier To Recover From?
Drug Addiction and Alcoholism, both diseases of the brain which create devastation in the lives of the addict and alcoholic, have often been debated over as to which is easier to recover from. Some say that drug addiction is easier to recover from as alcohol is legal and more prevalent in today’s society, thus creating greater opportunity for relapse in the case of the alcoholic. The other side of this debate would be that illegal drugs and the addict’s “connection” are still present, prescription medication is being prescribed in ever increasing amounts, not to mention, the internet has now made the purchase of narcotics easier than ever before.
Relapse Prevention Is Equally Available for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism
What we are sure of is the addict or alcoholic always has an excuse when they relapse. They tend to blame other people or situations for the reason behind their relapse behavior. If the person recovering from drug addiction or alcoholism would follow a relapse prevention plan, which might include changing their old drinking and drugging buddies for friends in recovery (changing their support system), quit meeting and frequenting places where they drank or used drugs and abstain from participating in unhealthy behavior, there would be no difference in the degree of difficulty recovering from drug addiction or alcoholism.
There are a number of sources of information on relapse, alcoholism and drug addiction treatment available on the web. At RecoveryConnection.org you can find information on a variety of topics ranging from types of drugs and different addictions, treatment options and a helpful frequently asked questions section. There you can also find an alcohol and drug rehab facility. At LakeviewHealth.com, an alcohol and drug rehab facility located in Florida, you will find valuable information on programs for specific populations, namely drug rehab programs for Hispanics and addiction treatment for gays and lesbians.
Relapse Prevention Is Equally Available for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism
What we are sure of is the addict or alcoholic always has an excuse when they relapse. They tend to blame other people or situations for the reason behind their relapse behavior. If the person recovering from drug addiction or alcoholism would follow a relapse prevention plan, which might include changing their old drinking and drugging buddies for friends in recovery (changing their support system), quit meeting and frequenting places where they drank or used drugs and abstain from participating in unhealthy behavior, there would be no difference in the degree of difficulty recovering from drug addiction or alcoholism.
There are a number of sources of information on relapse, alcoholism and drug addiction treatment available on the web. At RecoveryConnection.org you can find information on a variety of topics ranging from types of drugs and different addictions, treatment options and a helpful frequently asked questions section. There you can also find an alcohol and drug rehab facility. At LakeviewHealth.com, an alcohol and drug rehab facility located in Florida, you will find valuable information on programs for specific populations, namely drug rehab programs for Hispanics and addiction treatment for gays and lesbians.
Addiction Treatment: Use of Drugs and Alcohol as Self Medication Can Lead to Addiction
The relationship between drug addiction, alcoholism and mental illness is a complicated one and many times greatly misunderstood. History has shown us that many people who suffer from mental illness turn to drugs and alcohol as a means to self medicate, to tolerate feelings they believe to be intolerable. The problem here is self medicating rarely works in the long run and usually results in a person facing addiction or alcoholism.
Using drugs or alcohol as a means of self medicating only makes matters worse. A person with mental health issues should always meet with a psychiatrist who has been trained in the field of addiction and alcoholism (addictionology) for a full psychiatric evaluation. They will always ask about a person’s drug or alcohol use. In far too many cases, drug or alcohol use creates emotional problems which mimic a psychiatric illness and in cases like that, psychiatric medications might not be the answer. If after detox in an addiction treatment center or alcohol rehab, the psychiatric symptoms are still present, then the individual may be a candidate for medication.
Now, the real art in addiction medicine and dual diagnosis: the balancing act here is that it takes some time for the brain to recover from long term addiction or alcoholism. During this time in early recovery, the person might actually feel worse before they start feeling better. It is during this time the individual and their physician must make the decision as to whether or not they are improving, in spite of how they feel.
Recovering from addiction, alcoholism or dual diagnosis takes time. Everyone involved must have patience. It takes time for medications to take effect, time for the brain to recover and time for the human being to heal. Before someone turns to drugs or alcohol to medicate their feelings, it is suggested they get an evaluation at an addiction treatment center or alcohol rehab. If the problem is not drug or alcohol related, they can make a referral to a qualified psychiatrist.
Using drugs or alcohol as a means of self medicating only makes matters worse. A person with mental health issues should always meet with a psychiatrist who has been trained in the field of addiction and alcoholism (addictionology) for a full psychiatric evaluation. They will always ask about a person’s drug or alcohol use. In far too many cases, drug or alcohol use creates emotional problems which mimic a psychiatric illness and in cases like that, psychiatric medications might not be the answer. If after detox in an addiction treatment center or alcohol rehab, the psychiatric symptoms are still present, then the individual may be a candidate for medication.
Now, the real art in addiction medicine and dual diagnosis: the balancing act here is that it takes some time for the brain to recover from long term addiction or alcoholism. During this time in early recovery, the person might actually feel worse before they start feeling better. It is during this time the individual and their physician must make the decision as to whether or not they are improving, in spite of how they feel.
Recovering from addiction, alcoholism or dual diagnosis takes time. Everyone involved must have patience. It takes time for medications to take effect, time for the brain to recover and time for the human being to heal. Before someone turns to drugs or alcohol to medicate their feelings, it is suggested they get an evaluation at an addiction treatment center or alcohol rehab. If the problem is not drug or alcohol related, they can make a referral to a qualified psychiatrist.
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