Drug Rehab LA

GLBT Drug Rehab in LA

The GLBT community suffers from a disproportionately high incidence of substance abuse, starting in the teenage years. The statistics are appalling:

• LGBT teens in general are 190 percent more likely to use drugs and alcohol than are heterosexual teens
• Bisexual teens use drugs and alcohol at a rate 340 percent greater than the rate among straight teens
• For lesbian teens, the rate approaches 400 percent

Here are some numbers for specific drugs used in the young GLBT community:

• 70 percent had used marijuana as opposed to 49 percent of all other youth
• 29 percent used cocaine, compared to 9 percent of straight teens
• 30 percent used methamphetamines, compared to 7 percent
• 18 percent used injected drugs, compared to 2 percent

One might argue that GLBT teens are more easily accepted in metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles than in rural areas or isolated small towns, and that may well be true. However, access to drugs is also greater here, and there is a definite need for GLBT-oriented drug rehab in LA.

Issues for GLBT Drug Rehab in LA

Homosexuality doesn’t cause addiction. The reaction to homosexuality often does. At any age, but especially in adolescence, having a different sexual identification or even questioning one’s sexuality often leads to shaming, low self-esteem, and even violence and victimization. If a gay teen keeps his orientation hidden, he is vulnerable to self-loathing. If a young lesbian comes out to her family and friends, she may be utterly rejected. It’s easy to see why so many GLBT adolescents turn to substance abuse to deal with these negative feelings.

If you are a member of the GLBT community looking for drug rehab in LA, use our filters to find facilities where there are sensitive staff members and peers for you to work with. A comfortable environment free of prejudice will make your recovery easier.

Tags: Drug Rehab LA, GLBT Drug Rehab in LA

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 9:52 pm and is filed under Drug Rehab LA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.