Adjusting to Life After Rehab as an LGBTQ Person

Adjusting to Life After Rehab as an LGBTQ Person

If you have an LGBTQ+ loved one coming home from a substance use treatment, a big part of the recovery process is adjusting to life after rehab. The support system they have, including you, can be a great influence in day-to-day life, and there are a lot of their difficulties ahead. Transitions are always tricky, but you can help your LGBTQ+ loved one with their new sober life with the proper planning and preparation.

Maintaining a Sober Life After Rehab as an LGBTQ+ Person 

A sober life after rehab is attainable for LGBTQ+ people with some hard work and a commitment to long-lasting sobriety. It can take some time to reach this goal, and that timeline depends on the length and severity of the addiction and the LGBTQ+ person’s willingness to change. If they have recently completed a rehab program, here are a few steps they can take to help them adjust to life after rehab:

• Daily Exercise and Meditation. One of the more important steps in maintaining sobriety for LGBTQ+ people is taking care of themselves physically and mentally. If an LGBTQ+ person is sad, anxious, or bored, old triggers can reappear and push them to relapse. By starting a regular exercise program and practicing meditation on a regular basis, they can boost their chances of staying sober considerably.

• Working With a Therapist. Addiction is a lifelong struggle for LGBTQ+ people, where symptoms and triggers can reappear even years after their last drink or drug use. Continuing to work with a therapist and talking about their triumphs and struggles with addiction will make it easier to maintain their sobriety. Additionally, continuing to work with a therapist will greatly benefit their overall mental health and reduce the risk of depression or anxiety.

• Peer Support. A sober life is possible when an LGBTQ+ person has supportive friends in their corner. Their peers can become some of their biggest supporters after rehab and can be there when temptations and cravings reappear suddenly. Moreso, having a group of sober friends makes it easier to build new hobbies and interests that support their sober lifestyle.

• Writing in a Journal. Another beneficial practice is writing about their experiences in a diary or private journal. It allows them to revisit any situation where they felt cravings return and what they did to stop them. This is an excellent way to better understand how their coping skills work to help them maintain their sobriety.

Triggers to Lookout for as an LGBTQ+ Person After Rehab

Triggers are external or internal cues that may prompt an LGBTQ+ person in recovery to relapse into addictive behaviors.

External Triggers

External triggers often include situations, places, people, or objects associated with past drug or substance use addiction. For instance, walking past a bar where an LGBTQ+ individual was discriminated against or stigmatized, encountering old friends who still use drugs, or stressful environments (where they experienced homophobia) can act as powerful reminders of past behavior, compelling one to consider relapse. Avoidance and developing new routines that exclude these high-risk scenarios are important measures in maintaining long-term sobriety for the LGBTQ+ person.

Internal Triggers

Internal triggers have to do with emotional states or thoughts of an LGBTQ+ person that can lead to cravings. These could range from feelings of loneliness and anger, to anxiety and low self-esteem. Negative thought patterns or poor mental health can greatly increase a queer person's vulnerability to relapse. Identifying these emotional triggers is important. Practicing mindfulness, and building a robust support network can help them to manage their internal triggers and maintain emotional equilibrium, creating an avenue for a successful recovery journey.

Learn More About Life After Rehab at Q Space Detox

Life after rehab is attainable for any LGBTQ+ person who has developed a substance use disorder and participates in an addiction rehab program. During the program, LGBTQ+ people learn a number of healthy coping skills and rediscover the power within them to make real changes in their lives. Q space detox in Florida is open to LGBTQ+ people who struggle with addiction and want help stopping the abuse and building a healthy lifestyle. We take a whole-person approach to treating addiction and include a mix of behavioral and holistic therapies with medical support in each treatment program. If you need help maintaining your sobriety and building a healthy lifestyle free from drugs or alcohol, call 305-745-7768 today or use our online contact form to take that first step toward a better life.