LGBTQ Individuals at Higher Risk

A certified addiction specialist, Anthony Valanos serves as an educator at the drug and alcohol treatment center Sheer Recovery. He has worked with hundreds of people struggling with drug addiction. As part of the Sheer Recovery team, Anthony Valanos supports the admissions management team to ensure the optimal recovery process for all admitted patients, including LGBTQ individuals.

Research shows that LGBTQ individuals are more likely to develop mental disorders, which puts them at higher risk for alcohol and drug abuse. An LGBTQ person faces social stigma, rejection, and domestic violence more frequently than heterosexual or cisgender people. Such factors increase the amount of emotional stress and trauma that LGBTQ people experience in their daily lives, resulting in mental health problems and, consequently, a higher susceptibility to substance use.

Statistics show that 40-60 percent of LGBTQ people struggle with mental disorders including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Mental disorders increase the likelihood of substance use, which 40 percent of the LGBTQ population suffers from.

Despite their vulnerable status in society, LGBTQ individuals have difficulty finding the medical support they need. Studies have shown that more than 20 percent of LGBTQ persons have been denied access to medical care, while 70 percent were discriminated against by medical staff.