LGBTQIA+ people often face unique challenges and stress that can play a role in substance use. And when it comes to finding support, especially in rural areas, it’s not always easy to find treatment that feels safe, understanding, and inclusive.
But supportive, LGBTQIA+-affirming counseling does exist. You deserve a place to process, support, love who you love, and be who you are openly with pride and grow in your recovery
In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the barriers LGBTQIA+ people face in finding treatment, what to look for in affirming addiction support, and how to find group therapy near you.
Challenges LGBTQIA+ people face in addiction treatment
Addiction treatment can be tough for anyone—but for LGBTQIA+ people, there are often extra hurdles that make it even harder to get help. These challenges are shaped by a mix of social stigma, mental health struggles, and a lack of inclusive support in many treatment settings.
Here’s the breakdown of what those barriers can look like:
- Stigma and judgment
Many LGBTQIA+ people have dealt with judgment or discrimination, and that can carry over into healthcare settings too. Some worry about being treated unfairly or not being understood by doctors or counselors. On top of that, struggling with both addiction and identity can create feelings of shame or isolation, making it harder to reach out for help.
- Family rejection and homelessness
Some LGBTQIA+ people, especially youth, face rejection from their families. This can lead to unstable housing or homelessness, which is strongly linked to substance use. When someone is just trying to survive, getting help for addiction may feel out of reach.
- Mental health struggles
Depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health challenges are more common in LGBTQIA+ communities—often because of things like bullying, rejection, or discrimination. Sometimes people use drugs or alcohol to cope with these feelings. If an addiction treatment program isn’t equipped to handle both mental health and substance use together, it can make recovery more difficult.
- Lack of affirming treatment options
A lot of treatment programs aren’t designed with LGBTQIA+ people in mind. Those living in rural settings have even fewer options when it comes to finding belonging. Group therapy, for example, might feel uncomfortable or even unsafe if the environment isn’t welcoming.
- Risking further isolation from community
Recovery itself can be an incredibly isolating experience. Bars, clubs, and other LGBTQIA+ social spaces are often centered around alcohol and drug use, making it difficult for people in treatment to be a part of their own communities.
What to look for in an LGBTQIA+-affirming treatment program
LGBTQIA+-affirming treatment programs are designed to meet people where they are, respect their identities, and provide care that reflects their unique experiences.
Here’s what that looks like at Better Life Partners:
- A focus on harm reduction that gives people options, not consequences
- Access to medication-assisted treatment—but only if you want it
- Supportive group counseling with people who understand your journey
A focus on harm reduction
Harm reduction work has deep roots in LGBTQIA+ communities, tracing back to services that helped prevent transmission of HIV. When applied to substance use recovery, this strategy seeks to meet people where they are, in their current state of drug use, and help them reduce the harm caused by that use.
At Better Life Partners, harm reduction means that we give people options, not consequences. We respect and care for all people—regardless of whether they choose to continue to use drugs.
Medication-assisted treatment
One component of our harm reduction approach includes access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT recognizes the intersectionality of identity and addiction, offering compassionate and practical support. By easing the withdrawal symptoms that come with addiction, medications like Suboxone offer the stability people need to begin their recovery journey. This creates a foundation upon which LGBTQIA+ people can rebuild their lives, pursue their aspirations, and nurture their relationships.
Not interested in medications? Not a problem. At Better Life Partners, you’re in charge of your recovery and you can still join our program.
Supportive addiction counseling
Better Life Partners combines these FDA-approved medications with supportive counseling and peer coaching to help address the root causes of addiction. For sex and gender diverse people in New Hampshire and Maine, that means access to virtual group counseling with people who understand your experiences, helping each member find community without fear of judgment or stigma.
How to join our LGBTQIA+ recovery groups
What it is: LGBTQIA+ affirming group therapy space to process, support, love who you love, and be who you are openly with pride and grow in your recovery
Who can join: Any gender diverse or LGBTQIA+ member seeking opioid use treatment in New Hampshire or Maine.
Where: Virtually, via Zoom!
How to get started:
- Call or text (866) 679-0831 for a brief consultation
- We’ll get you access to treatment that same day and schedule counselor visits depending on your needs
- If medically appropriate, our providers may prescribe Suboxone or other medication to help you feel well
- Make sure to let us know that you’re interested in joining our LGBTQIA+ recovery group and we’ll help get you signed up
