Do LGBTQ people face higher rates of substance use?

Research shows that LGBTQ people often report higher rates of substance use, but it’s not because of who they are; it is a result of the difficult circumstances members of the community face. Constantly dealing with rejection, discrimination, or feeling like you have to hide parts of yourself can push anyone toward coping in ways that feel numbing or distracting. Your story might look different from someone else’s, but you deserve support from people who actually understand what it means to move through the world as an LGBTQ person.

What makes an LGBTQ-inclusive detox different from a traditional detox?

Traditional detox programs often focus just on the medical process of withdrawal. When they do pay attention to the way addiction intersects with who a person is and the environment in which they find themselves, it’s often through a cis-heterosexual lens. In an LGBTQ-inclusive detox program, staff create space for the reality that LGBTQ+ clients have had to deal with. They are better equipped to help you get through the emotional lows of withdrawal and begin your next phase of recovery.

Why is LGBTQ-affirming care important during detox?

The detox process is already tough, and you should not have to bear the extra weight of wondering if you will be misunderstood or dismissed for who you are. LGBTQ-affirming care is important during detox because it offers safety. An affirming centre will give you an accepting community, respect your pronouns, will not question who you love, and will not brush aside your experiences. When you feel truly seen and accepted, it is easier to let go of internalized shame and put your energy where it helps — on healing and moving forward.

Pride Detox

How Would An LGBTQ Inclusive Detox Work Better For You

LGBTQ friends smiling together outdoors, representing affirming care and connection in LGBTQ-inclusive detox recovery

How Would an LGBTQ-Inclusive Detox Work Better for You? An LGBTQ-Inclusive detox program should support you beyond the physical process of withdrawal. It should make you feel safe, understood, and supported during one of the most vulnerable experiences of your life. Traditional detox centers often feel isolating or even unwelcoming for LGBTQ people, with staff…

Top Drug Detox in Long Beach, California

Scenic view of Long Beach, California waterfront, representing the location of Pride Detox.

Top Drug Detox in Long Beach, California Finding the right place to start your recovery is one of the most critical steps toward a better future. If you’re searching for the top drug detox in Long Beach, California, you’re in the right place. Pride Detox, a top drug detox in Long Beach, California, considers that…

Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal

A person holding a glass of beer with head down on the table.

Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal People who suddenly stop or decrease their alcohol intake after a period of regular or binge drinking may notice signs of alcohol withdrawal. These withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, low mood, excessive sweating, tremors, and headaches. They happen because the brain adjusts its chemistry to balance out alcohol’s depressant effects. This is…

LGBTQ-Friendly Drug Rehab

LGBTQ-Friendly Drug Rehab The term “LGBTQ-friendly drug rehab” appears on many treatment websites. It may seem reassuring and suggest a center is welcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. Too often, though, this label is just a marketing tactic. Recovery is a vulnerable process, and surface-level acceptance is simply not enough. LGBTQ people…

Is Alcoholism a Disease or a Choice?

A young alcoholic gay person slumped on a couch.

Is Alcoholism a Disease or a Choice? In every era and every age, the word “Alcoholism” has always popped up in society. However, regardless of its recurring usage, the term is still surrounded by confusion, judgment, and stigma. For decades, society has argued about the cause of alcoholism and why it is so prevalent. Some…

How to Know It’s Time For Alcohol Rehab- Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

A lesbian person lying unconscious on a couch with bottles of alcohol around.

How to Know It’s Time for Alcohol Rehab – Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore Deciding to get help for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most important steps to recovery a person can take. Still, people rarely notice when it is time for alcohol rehab. If you are unsure whether you or someone you…

How Alcoholism Impacts Sleep, Sex, and Self-Esteem in LGBTQ+ Individuals

An image of a disheveled gay person addicted to alcohol.

How Alcoholism Impacts Sleep, Sex, and Self-Esteem in LGBTQ+ Individuals Alcohol is generally considered a social lubricant—a way to loosen up, connect more freely, or quiet the noise in your head. LGBTQ+ people may abuse alcohol to escape from anxiety, shame, and the exhaustion of living in a world that does not make space for them.…

LGBTQ Detox Near San Diego

An aerial view of downtown San Diego for drug detox post.

LGBTQ Detox Near San Diego? Find Safe, Affirming Care at Pride Detox If you’re searching for “LGBTQ detox near San Diego,” you’re not alone. Many LGBTQ+ individuals struggle to find addiction treatment centers that truly understand their needs. While San Diego is known for being LGBTQ-friendly, the city lacks LGBTQ-specific detox centers. That’s where Pride…

Link Between Gender Dysphoria and Substance Use

A transgender person drinking directly from a bottle of alcohol.

Link Between Gender Dysphoria and Substance Use Many transgender people live with a deep feeling that their body doesn’t match who they are inside, a phenomenon called gender dysphoria. It’s more than just feeling uncomfortable. It can lead to sadness, anxiety, and stress every day. For some, this pain becomes too much to carry alone,…

Queer Sober Spaces

Two queer friends, having fun while using their phones in a sober space.

Queer Sober Spaces: Alternatives to Alcohol-Centered Socializing For several years, bars and clubs have served as places where LGBTQ+ people can find each other, get support, and feel welcomed. But what happens when alcohol becomes a problem? Alcohol problems are common within the queer community, yet people may feel like they cannot enjoy queer social…