LGBT recovery resources became pertinent since an estimated 20 to 30 percent of the LGBTQ community abuses substances, compared to about 9 percent the population as a whole, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Drinking can begin at a young age for gay identified individuals. Often drinking is a form of self preservation, hiding a secret (living in the closet) can be very painful. Drinking can begin as an escape from the pain, stress and shame of harboring secret thoughts.
As someone develops into an adult, it is common that a social network develops around bars. This pattern isn’t unique to the gay community. Many social sub-groups have patterns of meeting up at bars. Just look at the hockey team, poker league, and weekend softball tournaments. Drinking is a social glue for many social networks.
The LGBT community has a lot of addiction, and as a result it also has a lot of members in recovery. Most larger cities have very vibrant LGBT recovery communities, complete with 12-step meetings specifically for gay orientated persons in recovery. One of the largest drivers of successful recovery is the community that someone builds to help them recover. LGBT 12-step meetings are a great place to start building that community of friends in recovery.
A fantastic resource for finding LGBT meetings is Gay and Sober. LGBT resource centers, found in most larger cities almost always have LGBT focused recovery meetings. Gay meetings can be found in New York City, and in Suffolk County, NY, Fire Island, Bridgehampton, Southhampton, East Hampton, Sag Harbor, and in Nassau County in Dix Hills and Bohemia.
At Adam Banks Recovery, we work with many LGBT identified individuals. We come from a place of acceptance and understanding.
About Adam Banks
Adam Banks is a certified interventionist and the owner of Adam Banks Recovery. After receiving an MBA from the University of Chicago, Adam built a company that was later acquired by United Health Care. His discipline and attention to detail comes from his former career as an airline pilot, holding an ATP, the FAA’s highest license.
Today, Adam is dedicated to helping others achieve long-term sobriety. His work has guided executives, pilots, and physicians on paths to recovery. Adam brings families together through a loving and inclusive approach.
Adam has authored four books on addiction. His recent work, Navigating Recovery Ground School: 12 Lessons to Help Families Navigate Recovery, educates families on the entire intervention process. He also offers a free video course for families considering an intervention for a loved one.
Adam is available for alcohol and drug intervention services in New York, Long Island, the Hamptons as well as nationally and internationally.
