An addiction is a complex mental health disorder characterised by the continuous engagement in a behaviour – typically some form of substance abuse – despite the negative effects and consequences that may arise.
An individual can develop an addiction to many different things – the most common of which is alcohol or drug addiction.
This is when an individual continuously consumes drugs or alcohol regularly and over long periods of time, with little ability to stop.
An individual can be addicted to multiple substances at once, and it is also possible for an individual to develop an addiction to a specific behaviour such as shopping, gambling, or social media.
This post will primarily focus on addictions to substances, as these are often the most common, with a particular focus on how addiction impacts the LGBTQ+ community in the UK specifically.
It has long been a stereotype that individuals within the LGBTQ+ community are heavily involved in drug use and other behaviours, but this is often not the case.
Just within the LGBTQ+ community, there are countless different subpopulations – something which has been noted as a huge gap in research. [1]
However, these stereotypes can lead to difficulties for LGBTQ+ people in accessing care and support for addiction issues, creating barriers to treatment beyond even the existing stigma of addiction.
Though this is not as common in the UK specifically, it can cause issues around the world, sometimes leading to a delay in care which is never recommended in the case of addiction.
Outside of the LGBTQ+ community, there are many reasons why an individual may develop an addiction.
Addiction is a non-discriminatory disease which means that it can affect any and all individuals, regardless of their social, economic, or cultural background.
Often, individuals can develop an addiction without even realising it, triggering feelings of denial and sometimes requiring the support of a professional intervention.
The most common reasons why someone may develop an addiction are covered in the following three subheadings:
Often within the LGBTQ+ community, individuals can be left with immense feelings of stress, either due to the complexity of their everyday life or as the result of stigmas and discrimination that these individuals may be regularly subjected to.
Stress can often cause individuals to engage in behaviours that they do not normally – one of these being developing an addiction – which can in itself often become a vicious cycle of stress, substance abuse, and further stress.
Studies have shown time and time again that individuals in the LGBTQ+ community can often be subject to higher levels of stress as a result of the societal discrimination, bias and marginalisation that they are subjected to, leading to a greater number of reported cases of mood disorders, substance abuse, and self-harm. [2]
In some cases, when individuals are faced with extreme pressures or is struggling with their mental health, they may develop an addiction as a way to cope with this.
For example, if an individual is struggling with their mental health in their day-to-day life, then they may turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
Whilst consuming substances such as cannabis, cocaine, alcohol and heroin can create positive short-term effects that provide temporary relief from stressors, but ultimately go on to make these struggles much worse and even trigger new ones.
This is how relatively small initial quantities of substances consumed as a coping mechanism can quickly worsen into an addiction – often in short periods of time and before an individual has a chance to stop themselves or fully comprehend their situation.
Though not quite as common as the other ways of developing an addiction, peer pressure can be just as dangerous a pathway into addiction for anyone. [3]
For example, if an individual is out and about with their friends, then their friends may begin engaging in substance use – with or without the individual’s notice – and, in order to ‘fit in’ and be ‘on the same level’ as their friends, this individual may also engage in this behaviour.
Later, and outside of this social situation, the individual may then continue to seek out and consume the same substance in order to gain the same effects that they may have experienced when they last consumed it.
This is hard to overcome, which is why it is essential for children and young people to be educated on the dangers of substance abuse and misuse, and how best to approach situations in which they may be offered substances which they are unfamiliar with.
Across the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) [4] groups addiction support together in terms of substance addictions and behavioural addictions, though this is just the first distinction and the specific support services organised by the NHS are broken down into further categories.
Generally, individuals who reside in the UK will be able to access some form of addiction treatment and support through the NHS, though this is not always the most suitable option.
For example, more extreme and severe cases of addiction are generally recommended to attend private residential rehabilitation, where full comprehensive treatment can be offered in a space totally removed from outside impact.
This service is difficult to access through the NHS, due to the sheer cost of residential drug and alcohol rehab treatment.
Although the NHS can offer some support in regards to securing funding and providing referrals for residential drug and alcohol rehab, most patients will need to secure the funds themselves.
This is where individual referral services such as Rehab 4 Addiction come into play, as we assist individuals in finding the most suitable programme for their unique recovery needs, including one that fits their budget.
With all cases of addiction – substance or behavioural, within the LGBTQ+ community or not – it is vital that individuals seek support as soon as possible.
This is because addiction can rapidly worsen over time if left untreated or unacknowledged and can leave long-term and/or lifelong physical health and mental health struggles.
Generally, there are three stages of rehabilitation, each progressing naturally through to the next and providing the individual with a full and comprehensive recovery programme, should they choose to commit to it with the right level of motivation and with a good attitude.
These three stages are outlined in the three following subheadings.
The theory of detoxification is that the removal of the addictive substance from the body will prepare an individual physically for the further stages of care.
However, depending on the substance, an individual’s time in this stage of care will greatly differ.
This is because some substances are physically addictive and others are not.
Physically addictive substances such as alcohol and heroin are far more challenging to withdraw from compared to non-physically addictive substances such as cannabis and cocaine, though the same level of care and support should always be present.
After successfully completing a detox session (lasting anywhere from 7 to 14 or more days) an individual is able to progress to the further stages of rehabilitation, focusing on their mental health.
During the main course of therapies and treatment programmes at drug and alcohol rehab, every individual will have a different experience.
This is because every individual will have different needs and requirements within their recovery journey, meaning that each individual will take part in different programmes and therapies compared to others.
Though not every individual will partake in the same treatments and therapies, there are some that most individuals can expect to take part in as a part of their treatment due to their specific advantages and benefits in relation to drug and alcohol rehab.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), for example, is one of the most commonly employed therapies in the field of addiction due to its flexibility from session to session, as well as within each session and directly relating to the individual partaking.
After an individual has worked to develop their physical and mental health through detoxification and treatment programmes respectively, it is vital that they continue this process of learning and support through a suitable aftercare programme.
This refers to any future treatment and care that an individual may receive in relation to their addiction.
This can include progress meetings, for example, as well as more independent approaches through further independent learning.
An individual’s aftercare plan will be specific to them depending on how they reacted to different treatment programmes whilst in rehab, which can be changed and altered as the individual progresses.
Ensuring that an individual has a strong aftercare plan is an essential step to their ongoing health, well-being and sobriety.
No matter whether the individual is a member of the LGBTQ+ community or not, struggling with addiction issues themselves or know of someone else who may be struggling, we are always here to help.
Our dedicated and professional team will answer all questions and queries with a friendly and confidential attitude, meaning that there is no need to delay getting in touch today.
No matter how big or small the issue(s) may appear to the individual, give Rehab 4 Addiction’s addiction support line a call today at 0800 140 4690 to find out how we can help you.
[1] https://ouci.dntb.gov.ua/en/works/4Ngp1BVl/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39464965/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32400279/
[4] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
