LGBTQ+ Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

Members of the LGBTQ+ community often face unique stressors and experiences that can increase the risk of substance use challenges.¹ Seeking treatment that understands and addresses these needs is crucial for successful recovery. Learn about LGBTQ+ specialized addiction treatment, how you can benefit from it, and the treatment options available.

What Is LGBTQ+ Specialized Addiction Treatment?

Specialized LGBTQ+ addiction treatment offers a tailored path to recovery, providing evidence-based care alongside others with shared experiences. With personalized treatment plans and thoughtful screening, these programs create a safe and affirming space where healing can begin.

Stigma or rejection from family members or close friends, feelings of isolation or being misunderstood, and a higher risk of violence and trauma are often common experiences for members of the LGBTQ+ community.² In an LGBTQ+ rehab program, you’ll find a dedicated and understanding team who deeply empathize with the challenges, discrimination, trauma, and specific reasons why members of this community may turn to substance use.

As such, these programs offer therapy, support, and resources that enable LGBTQ+ individuals to heal from substance use disorder, address any co-occurring mental health or relationship challenges, and gain the tools needed to build a healthy, independent life after treatment.

Statistics on LGBTQ+ Populations and Addiction

Research suggests that individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ may face a higher risk of experiencing challenges related to substance use, including illicit drug use, excessive alcohol consumption, and the development of substance use disorders.³ Recent research highlights the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in relation to substance use, as evidenced by the following statistics from a 2022 survey:³

• In 2022, research indicated that rates of excessive alcohol consumption were similar between men regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. However, women who identified as LGBTQ+ were found to be more likely to engage in binge drinking and were twice as likely to be classified as heavy drinkers compared to their heterosexual counterparts.3(pg. 3)
• Including marijuana, between 43% and 49% of LGBTQ+ women used illicit drugs, and 47–49% of LGBTQ+ men used illicit drugs in 2022.
• LGBTQ+ individuals, both men and women, were found to be two to three times more likely to have used illegal drugs in the year prior to being surveyed compared to their heterosexual counterparts.
• Between 26.5–32.3% of lesbian and bisexual females in 2022 were diagnosed with substance use disorder, compared to about 14% of straight females.
• About 32% of LGBTQ+ males were likely to have a substance use disorder of any kind, compared to 20.7% of straight males in 2022.
• More than 20% of bisexual women and more than 16% of lesbian women experienced the challenges of both a mental illness and a substance use disorder in the year before the survey.
• All LGBTQ+ males surveyed in 2022 were found to be more than twice as likely to experience the combined challenges of a substance use disorder and a mental illness.

Discrimination and Addiction in the LGBTQ+ Community

The challenges faced by many in the LGBTQ+ community, including discrimination and other risk factors, can unfortunately contribute to the development of addiction.¹ These experiences can include:^4,5

• Attempts to change sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Hate crimes and violence, including from family members or partners.
• Discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare, and public spaces.
• Use of slurs, microaggressions, harassment, and misgendering.
• Rejection or lack of support from family or community.
• Higher rates of mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation.

LGBTQ+ Addiction Treatment Options

Joining an LGBTQ+-affirming addiction treatment program can offer holistic, lifelong health benefits. These specialized programs cater to the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community. They are available in various settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and sober living homes.

Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Inpatient addiction treatment is a highly structured care program where a person resides in a treatment hospital or a residential center.⁶ It can be helpful to have a safe place that allows a person space from any hurtful people or situations, harmful friend groups, or other triggers for substance use. In addition, the regimented schedule and routine of inpatient programs can help some patients re-establish structure in their lives, providing a foundation for moving forward.

Inpatient programs vary in duration based on individual needs and the severity of substance use, offering both shorter and longer-term options.7(long-term residential treatment and short-term residential treatment) LGBTQ+ individuals can benefit from either approach, and some may even transition from a brief hospital-based program to a longer-term residential or other treatment model.⁶ The right recovery path is ultimately a personal one, tailored to your unique journey.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient addiction treatment offers a flexible approach to treatment, allowing individuals to live at home while engaging in therapy and other recovery activities.⁶ The intensity and time commitment can vary significantly, with options like intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) or partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) providing a level of care comparable to inpatient treatment.⁶ However, these more intensive programs may require participation for several hours each day during the week.⁶

Traditional outpatient services offer a range of intensity levels designed to accommodate work, school, or other commitments.⁷ For LGBTQ+ individuals with mild to moderate substance use disorders and a strong support system, outpatient addiction treatment can offer a successful path to recovery.

Outpatient programs may last as long as the patient requires treatment, and plans are often adjusted as the patient progresses. But, generally, people are encouraged to stay in some form of addiction treatment for at least a year when they are starting out their journey to recovery.⁶

Sober Living Options

Sober living homes are substance-free environments where people recovering from addiction can stay after completing a formal treatment program.⁶ They can offer an opportunity to maintain a community of support while reintegrating into daily life outside of rehab.⁶ The choice to be in sober living housing belongs to the person recovering. People may remain in recovery housing for several months, or even years, after beginning recovery.⁶

Sober living homes often have a house leader or manager who organizes meetings and/or 12-Step mutual aid groups for the residents.⁶ Living in a safe, supportive space with other LGBTQ+ people in recovery can help you create a new community and healthy life in the future.

Why Mental Health Treatment is so Important

Research shows that LGBTQ+ individuals face a heightened risk for both mental health challenges and substance use disorders.¹ In fact, LGBTQ+ women are two to three times more likely, and LGBTQ+ men are more than twice as likely, to experience both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder compared to their heterosexual peers.¹ Prioritizing mental well-being is crucial for long-term health.

Individuals battling substance use disorders frequently grapple with co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).⁷ These interconnected challenges can exacerbate and perpetuate substance misuse, which is why it is paramount to get treatment that addresses all present disorders simultaneously.⁸

Does Insurance Cover LGBTQ+ Addiction Treatment?

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act and Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) in 2010, United States health insurance companies are required to provide mental health and substance use disorder benefits at a comparable coverage to medical services or treatment.⁹ Thus, if you have health insurance, it is likely to cover some portion of mental health services alongside medical health services.

However, each plan and coverage may vary. Call your insurance provider to verify how much you might be expected to pay for addiction treatment services, including LGBTQ+ addiction treatment programs. Or, use our secure insurance verification form to check your coverage.

Getting the help you deserve is essential, and financial concerns shouldn’t be a barrier to treatment. Even without insurance or sufficient coverage, payment options exist. Many treatment centers offer sliding-scale payment plans, grants, or other financial assistance for those in need. Some centers even operate entirely on donations or government funding, potentially providing treatment at no cost

Finding LGBTQ+ Friendly Treatment Centers

If you or someone you care about in the LGBTQ+ community needs a safe and supportive environment to begin their recovery journey, help is within reach. American Addiction Centers (AAC) provides specialized LGBTQ+ programs at River Oaks Treatment Center and Greenhouse Treatment Center, offering evidence-based therapies delivered by a compassionate and understanding team.

Take that first step towards a brighter future and call us at to talk about your treatment options. Our supportive and compassionate navigators are on hand to answer all your questions and to help you get the care you need so you can live the rich and rewarding life you deserve. Recovery is possible, so don’t wait. Reach out today.