What are the Unique Issues Facing GLBT Drug Addicts?
Men and women from the GLBT community who are in the midst of a drug addiction most likely arrived there for one (or more) of several reasons that are unique to their situation. These reasons include: • Confusion about sexuality. Growing up confused about one’s sexual identity can cause a number of significant psychological issues, including depression, anxiety and alcohol or drug addiction. Many GLBT individuals are ostracized by their families or receive no support from their loved ones. This can cause their confusion to deepen – and their psychological and addiction issues to worsen. • Lifestyle issues. Many facets of the GLBT lifestyle include drug abuse and heavy partying. Breaking free of these situations, while at the same time trying to overcome drug addiction can be a tremendous challenge. • Dual diagnosis problems. As mentioned earlier, many gay men and women suffer from depression, bi-polar disorder and other psychological conditions. When these mental illnesses occur at the
