Lgbt Substance Abuse Treatment Best Practices

Health disparities in the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender community that lack fair treatment. This population deals with many adversities due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBT’s community consists of a diverse population of people who come from all walks of life ((Howard, 2016). Many LBGT’s will delay or not seek health care due to stigma and lack of fair treatment. In other words, they believe that they are discriminated against.

The mental health of individuals in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community is something that is a serious problem. For most of the history of the United States and many different parts of the world LGBT people faced much persecution and in some cases even death. This constant fear of discovery and the pressure that one feels on oneself when “in the closet” can lead to major mental distress. Research has shown that people who identify as LGBT are twice as likely to develop lifetime mood and anxiety disorders (Bostwick 468). This is extremely noticeable the past couple years in the suicides of bullied teens on the basis of sexual identity and expression. The stigma on simply being perceived as LGBT is strong enough to

Other factors contributing to LGBT health disparity is the lack of access to care. Different states have different laws regarding to LGBT population, and some of the laws make it difficult for LGBT to get insurance through their partners. Without health insurance many of these people only gets medical treatments on emergency basis. Per Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality “ 19 % of LGBT had been refused treatment by a doctor or other provider because of their transgender or gender nonconforming status,”(AHRQ, 2011). Taking into consideration the level of sexually transmitted disease, drug use, suicidal rate, obesity, and their prevalence among LGBT population, healthcare organizations needs to incorporate better strategies, and open the door to better policies that facilitates access to

The young people of the LGBT community do in fact have increased risks when it comes to their mental health. For example: Compared to homeless youth that identify as heterosexual, LGBT adolescents are more likely to have major depressive episodes (41.3% vs. 28.5%), suicidal thoughts (73% vs. 53.2%), at least one suicide attempt (57.1% vs. 33.7%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (47.6% vs. 33.4%) (Keuroghlian, A. S., Shtasel, D., & Bassuk, E. L., 2014). It is also shown that homeless youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, ranging from 13 to 21 years of age are more apt than youth who identify as heterosexual to experience and report symptoms of depression and use street drugs such as, methamphetamines, cocaine and or crack (Keuroghlian, A. S., Shtasel, D., & Bassuk, E. L., 2014).

Travers et al. (2010) conducted a qualitative study of service providers in Canada and found that even in a country that has been proactive with regard to LGBT rights there still remains significant barriers to service provision for LGBT homeless youth. Providers cited concerns about resources being clustered in one area that is not accessible to the majority of LGBTQ youth, as well as the types of services being provided focusing specifically on HIV prevention and decreasing the focus on other important issues. The providers indicated this singular focus often discourages LGBTQ youth from utilizing services. Additionally, concerns were raised about the lack of evidence based information on transgender youth, as well as a lack of training on LGBTQ youth issues. Providers denounced the use of specialists in LGBTQ issues, but instead insisted that all providers should be trained to provide services to LGBTQ youth. A common theme in the focus groups was recognizing a mutual responsibility. The providers expressed frustration that there appears to be a general denial within the community that LGBT youth present, and this seems to be significant when considering service provision that comes from religious organizations. The study indicates that across the board, agency attitudes have not caught up to social attitudes or rights. Additionally, they highlighted that the current focus of mitigating risks does not account for promoting appropriate well rounded services in light of systematic issues. According to a study by Durso and Gates (2012), the most significant barrier to service provision is funding, followed by population identification, lack of training, and lack of support. A qualitative study of professionals serving homeless youth; including youth that identify as LGBTQ voiced several concerning issues in serving LGBTQ youth. Discrimination

Keep in mind that there are differing ethnicities within the races that we claim. For example, there are not just Asians, there are Chinese and Koreans that have different percentages of addiction for each. This is important to point out so that we take into consideration the diversity that exists within regular terms. Amongst men and women, men were reported to be the highest drug users, while drug use in LGBT populations presents no conclusive evidence of rates in substance abuse. However, some evidence seems to suggest that the LGBT population in particular are higher drug users then the rest of the population. This is likely because LGBT people face more discrimination in life which leads to shame and depression and then addiction to escape the pain. This chapter also points out that denial and secrecy commonly characterize alcoholism and drug abuse in all populations. Drug use in mental illness happen because people start to self treat what they think is wrong with them, then this leads to addiction. Alcohol rates in diverse populations very a lot in different races. When it comes to treatment and recovery in the different diverse populations there are many ways to recovering them that suits their

Evidence Based Practice is beyond the Advanced Nurse Practitioners and the patients, it is more and part of an organizational culture. Advanced Nurse Practitioners have to understand how literature findings can be reviewed in order to determine if they are relevant and clinically significant to the population they serve as your focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. It is a good idea to use the evidence-based policy to implement and provide education and training. In addition to education and training, the clinical environments need to be change which can change some behaviors towards this

Addiction is a disease that is complex and progressive, which can affect anyone at any time in their lives. No matter your race, sex, and cultural background, substance addiction can destroy lives. While drug and alcohol abuse presents challenges for any demographic group, the LGBT community has experienced substance addiction rates that are higher than any other group of people. It is important to look at the extent of addiction in the LGBT community. It is also important that we look at how those within the LGBT community can find the treatment and supports they need to become clean and sober. The problem is there are very few treatment’s that support the LGBT community.

One has chosen to focus on the substance abuse patients as the vulnerable population for the project. Frequently one has identified and seen stigmatization, prejudgments, and poor care given to this population in the workplace. Many patients are discharged each day with no plan of care, no education on resources and no instructions for follow up care. The outcomes and possibilities for the patient’s recovery have shown to be slim by the frequent return of the patient in the emergency room. The patients return within hours of discharge from the ER and seem to be in the same condition as when they left. One has

It is no secret that studies throughout the years have proven that substance addiction is more common in men than it is in women. In a majority of the studies done, medical professionals have been able to prove that males start using drugs from a younger age, go on longer usage spurts more often, are more likely to abuse tobacco products and alcohol, and are more likely to engage in binge drinking, where they consume five or more drinks in a short period of time (The Recovery Village, “A Study of Drug Addiction Between the Genders”). Up until the 1980’s only men were setting the standards for addiction treatment. Though both men and women were studied, the studies were done from a male perspective. This same perspective was the one that set the precedence for drug abuse prevention programs and for the rehab facilities. The treatment modalities were ones that tended to be designed with an emphasis on the needs of the male clientele with the female clientele being pushed through a one size fits all style treatment. This however, started to change in the 1980’s after the second wave of the women’s rights movement occurred. Women began to question

The Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgendered (LGBT) youth population is one of the most vulnerable groups in our community. Being gay does not lead to risky behaviors or bad decision making, rather, societal stigma and discrimination can lead LGBT youth to seek emotional outlets. Today’s society has improved immensely towards the LGBT community, although it has not always been this way. Society can affect a person in shocking ways, influencing one’s unhealthy and unsafe physical and mental behaviors. This current vulnerable population deserves a voice and the simplicity of someone listening to them in order for both sides, accepting and non-accepting, to find a common ground and settle the violence.

Integrating substance use disorder (SUD) and healthcare services is a major target in the era of healthcare reform.1 Care integration has gained momentum with the recognition that people with SUDs often have multiple physical health problems and are at greater risk for chronic diseases (e.g., congestive heart failure).1 One practice that has been cited as important in efforts to integrate care is Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), an evidence-based model that can be used to identify and address risky substance use in healthcare and other clinical settings.2

Diversity becomes a cornerstone to the local recovery community, as treatment moves from statistical data into the actual process of treatment. This is where the local community thrives in creating options to the treatment process, modeled after particular client needs. Though treatment is designed to be multi-cultural, there is still support communities available that are modeled to a culturally biased society. Burrow-Sanchez & Wrona (2012) states that Latinos are projected to make up 29% of the population by 2050 and currently report a rate of 14% of substance use disorders compared to 12.7% of Caucasians. Drug use is not discriminatory by any means, but stereotypical beliefs often segregate individuals based on ethnic, gender, religious and sexual orientation. Due to this fact there are treatment options that cater to a more specific group, in hopes of creating a more diverse culture in recovery. Scheneider-Corey, Corey & Corey (2013) establishes that counselors must understand the many types of client populations in order to design effective group treatment programs tailored to meet the specific needs of the client. As such the therapist establishes groups based on the cultural diversity of the clients, yet understands that at times specific groups catered to religious, gender, or race may be more beneficial to the client. The therapist becomes familiar with the local community available to the client and willing to communicate the best care options

Culminating this final paper has been an honor and a privilege for me due to the plethora of trials and tribulations encountered during this journey that led me to this incredulous moment. To begin with, a remark that I am not the same person that I was previous to my internship at the DAC (Reading Hospital Drug and Alcohol Center) would seemingly be an understatement. In light of the fundamental role in helping those in our community who suffer from a Substance Use Disorder, I have been honored to work with such an amazing and caring group of people. Ultimately, the internship experience has enabled me to grow as a person by increasing my awareness of myself, others the profession of providing care for individuals with Substance Use Disorders,

LGBTQ Identities and Struggles: How to Serve Members of the LGBTQ Population in Substance Abuse and Family Treatment