Co-occurring Disorders LGBTQ

Discrimination, rejection, and the daily stress of just existing in an unwelcoming world can take a serious toll. These pressures often lead to struggles with both mental health and substance use, creating what’s known as co-occurring disorders.

Co-occurring disorders, or dual diagnosis, occur when an individual has a substance use disorder along with a mental health condition. It may involve various conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. 

Mental health struggles and substance abuse are often connected, feeding into each other in a way that keeps people trapped. One doesn’t necessarily cause the other. Instead, they fuel a cycle that’s incredibly hard to escape without the right care and support.

Substance Use And The LGBTQ+ Community

Substance abuse is of particular concern within the LGBTQ+ community. It is partly fuelled by the difficulties they face in their search for social acceptance. Although there has been some progress towards equality, members of the LGBTQ+ population still experience discrimination, particularly in employment, housing, schooling, and family rights. These struggles can lead to using substances as a way to cope, which may then develop into substance use disorder.

Research shows that LGBTQ+ individuals are more than two times more likely to misuse drugs or alcohol compared to their peers in the general population. Among transgender people, the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder is nearly four times greater than that of cisgender individuals. 

Substance use also begins earlier for some LGBTQ+ youth, especially in high school. For many, the fear of rejection, both from families and peers, leads them to turn to drugs and alcohol for succor.

Symptoms Of Co-Occurring Disorders

It used to be more difficult to spot co-occurring disorders. LGBTQ+ people with mental health conditions often mask their substance abuse, while others battling with addiction may be unaware of the underlying mental health condition fueling it. Fortunately, there has been massive progress in recognizing these disorders and understanding how they affect a person. 

Co-occurring disorders usually present as the specific signs of each condition. For example, a person with depression and substance abuse may show different signs from a person who has schizophrenia and a substance use disorder.

Regardless, certain patterns often appear in those with these. They may include:

• Noticeable changes in behavior and personality
• Social withdrawal
• A tendency for risky or reckless actions
• Frequent and drastic mood swings
• Falling behind on school, work, or other responsibilities

Risk Factors of Co-Occurring Disorders

Several factors contribute to the onset of both mental health and substance use disorders. A few of the most common ones are:

• Genetics: Some people are predisposed to both substance abuse and mental health conditions. For instance, they may have a family history of addiction or bipolar affective disorder, which increases their risk of developing those conditions. 
• Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Traumatic events like abuse, neglect or exposure to violence during childhood can leave lasting effects on the mind. They can make people more prone to unhealthy coping mechanisms and poor mental health as they age. 
• Peer Influence: Our friends and general social circle can contribute to co-occuring disorders developing. Peers can lead people to experiment with illicit substances, especially at a young age.
• Lack of Support: A weak or absent support system is fertile ground for co-occurring disorders to develop. When there is no strong family, friend or communal support, people may instead turn to substance to fill the gap. 

Effectively managing co-occurring disorders requires a holistic approach that qualified professionals can address. Q Space Detox offers integrated care that tackles the root causes of these conditions and assists LGBTQ+ people on their road to recovery.

Why Is Treatment So Difficult?

Addressing co-occurring disorders is more complex than individually treating a mental health or substance use disorder. The struggle lies in figuring out which symptoms stem from which condition. For instance, when managing a person with anxiety, it may be unclear if the anxiety is caused by substance abuse or an underlying mental health condition. Since anxiety can be a symptom of many conditions, care professionals must dig deeper to find and treat the root cause.

Another reason dual diagnosis treatment is challenging is the longer time it often requires. There's no quick solution to addiction recovery, and mental health disorders demand careful, ongoing attention. This combination can prolong treatment by months or even years.

Finally, dual diagnosis care calls for specialized providers. Only rehabilitation centers like Q Space Detox provide integrated management for co-occurring disorders that can adequately facilitate recovery.

Get Help Today

If you or your LGBTQ+ loved one has been dealing with substance abuse while living with a mental health condition, Q Space Detox is here to help. At Q Space Detox, our caring and compassionate staff works with each client closely to develop an individualized plan for their recovery care. We provide therapy programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ people and are dedicated to honoring our clients’ identities and experiences. Reach out to us at 305-745-7768 to get started on your recovery journey today.