Category: LGBTQ

sexual addiction

Sexual Addiction – It Is Real, and It Can Be Devastating

Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Sexual Addiction – When you talk about addiction, the first things that come to mind are coke, heroin, gambling, alcohol, etc. In the back of their minds, people know that sex can be addictive, but often they like to laugh about it. As harmless as it may sound to some on the surface, sex addiction is a real, and it can be devastating for those who suffer from it. Just like an addiction to certain drugs and psychoactive chemicals, sexual addiction has its signs and withdrawal symptoms. It can ruin the life of a person physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

When a person is addicted to sex, they can’t withdraw from it. They have sexual thoughts and fantasies that are not under their control. Under the influence of these thoughts, they participate in sexual activities while fully aware of the consequences of doing so. A telling sign that a person is addicted to sex is when they try to withdraw from it but cannot. A sex addict might involuntary participate in sexual intercourse or some other form of sexual activity. Keeping themselves from involving in sexual activities can result in anxiety, uneasy sensations in the body, confusion and eventually compulsive behavior.

Here are some forms of sex addictions.

  • Uncontrolled use of pornography
  • Cybersex
  • Voyeurism
  • Exhibitionism
  • Uncontrolled masturbation
  • Adultery
  • Prostitution
  • Several affairs involving sex

Sexual addiction can make a person reach a point where the obsession with sex overshadows their relations, personal life, career, friends, self-esteem, and sense of well-being.

Sexual Addiction Reasons.

There can be many reasons why a person becomes a sex addict. A person who gets neglected during childhood can often end up as an addict. Among other types of addiction, they can become sex addicts too. On other occasions, it could be the environment in the house that doesn’t provide the right nurturing to the person to give more weight to the consequences of uncontrolled sex over desires to have it. Sometimes, a person is exposed to sex at a very early age, and this could lead to their hypersexuality.

An important thing to keep in mind here is that a person who is married to someone and has more than regular sex with their life partner is not classified as a sex addict. In fact, a sex addict is not interested in their life partner and rather seeks relief outside the relationship. They are addicted to being sexually involved and aroused by new people every time, hence the birth of exhibitionism, voyeurism, prostitution, and relationships besides a legal one.

While there is no set solution or medicine to cure this type of addiction, there are rehab programs that can certainly help. The most important part of the rehab for a sex addict is to identify the elements that trigger sexual thoughts and desires in the patient’s mind. The specialists at a rehab might also spend the first few days screening the patient to know that there isn’t a drug, medication or some other physical condition that’s causing sex addiction. One of the drugs that have proven to be very impressive in treating sex addiction is Naltrexone.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Sex Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

LGBTQ Substance Use

There Is No Good Reason For LGBTQ Individuals To Turn To Substance Use

Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

LGBTQ Substance Use. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons LGBTQ individuals initially turn to drug use and why it is not the correct answer to any issue they may have.

Sexual orientation struggles:

This problem comes from many angles. Because of their sexual orientation LGBTQ individuals will be singled out by classmates at school, homophobic bullies anywhere and at any time of life. And, perhaps most disappointingly, from their own family members who simply cannot come to terms with the situation. Permanent hang-ups about sexual orientation and harsh criticism received on a very regular basis are an oft-cited reason LGBTQ substance use.

Excess stress:

Stress is not a welcome visitor at the best of times. But to feel stressed more often than not is a heavy burden to bear. Many LGBTQ individuals suffer from this and substance use is often too great a temptation to resist. This is because it temporarily relieves stress, worries and concerns.

Loneliness and depression:

Everyone suffers from the occasional bout of loneliness. Depression will affect all of us at certain times in our lives but these are generally isolated. They are spaced issues that are far enough apart to understand why we are feeling that way.

Contrary to popular (completely incorrect!) belief being part of the LGBTQ community does not mean that every day is a Friday. Or that all members have masses of like-minded friends who like to meet for regular group sex sessions, and parties are the rule rather than the exception.

If only! Many LGBTQ individuals suffer from loneliness. This problem is often magnified because to have a life they need to move to a new city in order to escape hometown prejudices. Making a new start can be a testing experience and loneliness is often your only bedfellow, certainly during the early stages of such a move.

This and many other specific reasons can cause depression that gets harder to escape from the longer it continues. Suffering from one of these conditions is often enough to tempt a person to use substances as an escape. But many LGBTQ members suffer from both conditions. This turns substance temptation into substance essential.

LGBTQ Substance use is NOT the answer:

Turning to substance use will not solve any of your problems. While under the influence they may be put temporarily on hold. But, as soon as you finish a session those problems will be queuing up for attention.

In all likelihood you will be feeling worse for wear following your last substance session. This set of circumstances produces a very quick solution in terms of leaving those unwanted problems marking-time for another day/night.

That is to reach for the bottle, prepare the pipe, or stripe a couple of large lines to get back on an even-keel.

Highly addictive substances are commonly used:

The vast majority of drugs (illegal and prescription) and alcohol have addiction potential. Some more than most. Substances favoured by community members include alcohol, amphetamines and heroin. All of which have a high addiction potential.

What begins as occasional use can easily turn into weekly use, then use every few days. Until a person is using their substance of choice on a daily basis and find they cannot get through the day without it.

LGBTQ Substance use is not the answer:

It needs to be made clear that using substances to solve problems does not work. What it can do is leave a person struggling with addiction.

If things are getting on top of you there are help-lines and like-minded addiction counsellors out there who will be only too willing to help.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Rehabilitation Assessment.

Life After Inpatient Rehabilitation

Preparing For Life After Inpatient Rehab – Part 2 of 2

Articles, Australia, Education, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Life After Inpatient Rehabilitation. This is the final part of how a recovering addict needs to prepare for life after a spell as an inpatient at an established rehabilitation centre.

Let’s start with something that only the recovering addict can achieve:

Sticking to follow-up appointments:

There are a variety of ways in which healing continues once a person has left inpatient rehabilitation. Many work on a stepped-model. This offers intense counselling and treatment appointments immediately they leave the inpatient facility and that gradually tapers as their needs lessen.

What those recovering need to understand is that ALL appointments must be attended. Missing just one will encourage others to be missed and that can have the effect of slowing down or messing up the recovery process.

Counselling sessions during the critical, early part of recovery while out in the real world will help in a whole host of ways. These include:

  • Allowing the addict to process and express feelings relating to their continued recovery.
  • Help them deal with family transitions.
  • Continue the awareness teaching that relates to relapse triggers.
  • Reviewing goals achieved and setting new ones.
  • Strengthen and build determination to remain on the path of sobriety.

Life After Inpatient Rehabilitation. Look after yourself:

While it may appear selfish, it should certainly not do so. The number one priority for a recovering addict is to look after themselves.

The return to old routines is often the cause of increased stress and anxiety. That is often made tougher because of intense cravings for either alcohol or drugs.

What is required is a focus on keeping negative thoughts to a minimum and understanding that if sadness or deepening depression are allowed to build then a relapse is far more likely.

Set aside special periods of each day that specifically concentrate on your well-being. Whether this is a short period of meditation at the beginning of the day, or getting out for some light exercise for just 20 minutes. This ‘me’ time will put a person in a far more positive mood to deal with the regular challenges that are bound to come their way.

Don’t shy away from support groups:

Support groups have been established for a very important reason. They help individuals to cope with the struggles of addiction and work to keep them on the path of sobriety.

Whether it is Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or another locally run support group it is worthwhile attending meetings. This is also vital in helping establish that you are not alone in your struggles.

In many cases it is also possible to acquire a sponsor. This is a person who has been through what you are currently suffering, but has remained sober for a long period of time and is ready to help you with the challenges that are undoubtedly ahead.

Life After Inpatient Rehabilitation – Relapse alert:

The last thing we will touch on is the importance of a recovering addict understanding and being aware of potential triggers that will cause a relapse. While a relapse should not be seen as failure it is certainly a big setback in treatment and healing. This means that with a watchful eye on stress and anxiety levels and voicing any concerns sooner rather than later. You will avoid something that effects around 50% of those on the addiction recovery road.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Rehab Assessment.

LGBTQ Drug Use

LGBTQ Sexual Orientation Issues Linked To Drug Abuse

Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Sexual orientation and LGBTQ Drug Use. Those belonging to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gendered or queer community must confront adversity in numerous ways. Their sexual orientation puts many under unwarranted pressure that can cause problems throughout their lives. Constant criticism, questioning and whispers take a toll on self-esteem and well-being.

LGBTQ Drug Use – Pressures of sexual non-conformity:

Conforming to what society in general sees as ‘normal’ sexual orientation is obviously not something that is possible for individuals belonging to the LGBTQ community. This gives rise to homophobes, racists, bullies and those who know no better an excuse to assault them verbally as well as physically.

The abuse that many LGBTQ individuals endure often start early in life and continues throughout it. Such sustained and prolonged prejudice makes it completely understandable that many ‘victims’ suffer physical and psychological effects. These psychological effects are detrimental to their well-being.

Examples of these totally uncalled for attacks include:

Bullying:

Those whose sexual orientation differs from social norms will be teased. Often verbally bullied and often suffering physical violence while growing up. The school playground can be a vicious breeding ground for this type of behaviour. As LGBTQ individuals grow into their mid-teens the thought of drug use as a means of escape and to ease a troubled mind is an attractive temptation that many fall into.

LGBTQ Drug Use – Family issues:

It is very often the case that other family members simply cannot accept the lifestyle of an LGBTQ individual. This can make life unbearable. In an attempt to relieve the depression, anxiety and stress caused, drug use is once again seen as an escape from this grossly unwanted and undeserved disapproval.

Covert hostility in the workplace:

Many LGBTQ individuals find regular but carefully orchestrated hostility from some of their work colleagues. This is borne from ignorance, mistrust and attitudes which refuse to understand that sexual orientation is a personal choice. A choice that should be respected. Daily tension and suffering from covert hostility can encourage drug use as a means of escaping the psychological pain such attitudes cause.

Drug use is not the answer:

LGBTQ individuals who are suffering from any form of discrimination must understand that drug use is not the answer. Occasional use can rapidly turn into regular use and before a person knows it they are using their substance of choice on a daily basis.

Heavy drug use or excessive drinking brings a whole set of new issues to the table. Very often causing unwanted physical and mental health problems. It is very important to remember that while addiction may be relatively easy to find, it is much more difficult to leave behind.

LGBTQ Drug Use – Finding ways to cope:

Finding positive ways to cope with these regular but unwanted situations is the way to go. By focusing on all that is positive in your life and making the effort to build a network of supportive, like-minded individuals will help tremendously.

Self-esteem will gradually rebuild and knowing you have good friends and acquaintances that can be relied on can be a huge boost. It also goes a long way to helping a person come to terms with any guilt or long-standing misgivings they harbor relating to their sexual orientation.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Rehabilitation Assessment.

Life After Inpatient Rehab

Preparing For Life After Inpatient Rehab – Part 1 of 2

Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Life After Inpatient Rehab. Those who are coming to the end of an initial, successful stay as an inpatient at an established rehabilitation facility need to be ready to enter their day-to-day world with the many challenges this new life will bring.

This article is the 1st of 2. They will give tips on how to successfully progress the important sobriety lessons taken on board during their time spent as an inpatient.

Completing inpatient rehab is a big step, but…

Recovery is a continuous process that takes time to sink in for many. This is why a person needs to be as fully prepared as possible before leaving the ‘managed’ environment of inpatient rehab. Over the 2 articles we will touch on things that have to be taken into consideration and prepared for. These will make the transition less stressful and more successful.

Intense counselling and profound learning achieved:

Life After Inpatient Rehab. Those who have successfully spent 30, 60 or 90 days as an inpatient will have been subject to intensive, successful counselling. Both on a one-to-one basis and as a group. They will also have picked up skills that need to be utilized for long-term sobriety.

In the days leading up to the end of this initial inpatient rehab treatment program it is important to go over the key lessons learnt and to determine not to go back to old ways. Do not be afraid to write out cards that indicate what should be prioritized with bullet points as to how this can be achieved. Here are some to get you started:

Time to move location?

This is something that should be seriously considered. It may well be a big step. But, if it keeps you on the straight and narrow in terms of sobriety then the effort involved will have been well worthwhile.

If your current neighbourhood presents too many memories and temptations in terms of purchasing and using substances then you are better off out of it.

If you are passing drug dealers on a regular basis. Seeing bars where you used to spend huge amounts of time. Or are within easy distance of a drug house that is still active then you are putting unnecessary pressure on yourself. Also you are inviting relapse triggers to come calling.

While the new neighbourhood may not be free of drugs it should be a one where there are other things to keep you occupied. One that allows you to forge new friendships.

Life After Inpatient Rehab – Finding sober friends:

Forming addiction is often begun and cemented through time spent with friends who are of a like-mind. If close friends are using substances to excess it is often quite natural that a person will fall into these ways. This person could be affected far more than others in their group.

This makes sober friends a vital resource for anyone going through recovery. Establishing a group of sober friends will help temptation levels for substance use drop substantially.

Self-responsibility:

Life After Inpatient Rehab. In the 2nd part of this article we will look at what responsibility a person must take to help progress their treatment. By following the tips given this will help a recovering addict reintegrate into society while limiting temptations that are undoubtedly around every corner.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Rehab Assessment.