Why Is Substance Abuse And Addiction So Prevalent Among The LGBTQI+ Community?

40 million Americans suffer from a substance use disorder according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Unfortunately, many are not receiving the care they need: 82% of Americans with opioid use disorder do not receive potentially life-saving treatment, and only 7% of adults with alcohol dependence are receiving treatment. The consequences of not receiving treatment are devastating - 75% of overdoses in 2021 were opioid-related and an estimated 99,000 people died from alcohol-related causes in 2020. Substance use disorders also impact the workplace. 75% of employers say their workplace is impacted by opioid misuse, but only 17% feel prepared to deal with the issue. Alcohol use disorder is linked to 232 million missed work days annually.  Substance use disorder is a growing problem that further exacerbates poor mental health, this is why Cerebral is getting involved. Cerebral offers high-quality care for multiple substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Cerebral developed these programs in partnership with in-house and external psychiatrists specializing in addiction treatment, and in close collaboration with Cerebral’s CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Mou.  Since substance use is highly comorbid with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, Cerebral has ensured its care programs treat patients comprehensively for all conditions.   “As a high-quality mental health company, it’s critical for us to be able to treat substance use disorders in addition to mental health conditions so that our patients can access a comprehensive solution,” said Dr. David Mou, Cerebral CEO. Further details on Cerebral’s substance use disorder programs are below: Cerebral’s Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Plan Cerebral’s Opioid Use Disorder plan is a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) plan with regular care counseling. It is specifically tailored to treat those struggling with opioid dependence. In the MAT plan, patients will be treated for their opioid use with FDA-approved medication like Suboxone, if clinically appropriate. Patients will have a high degree of interaction with their dedicated care team, including an initial 60-minute evaluation, weekly meetings with a prescriber to start, all with the flexibility and convenience of telehealth. 90% of Cerebral’s Opioid Use Disorder members who have been enrolled for at least 3 weeks attended their weekly prescriber sessions on time. 100% of Opioid Use patients who were prescribed medication were able to get their prescriptions filled on time. This is imperative to preventing relapse.  Cerebral currently offers Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid use in Colorado, Florida, and Washington, and has plans to continue the expansion of this program throughout 2022. Cerebral’s Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Plan Cerebral’s alcohol use disorder treatment program includes therapy and/or medication management. All members are connected with licensed clinicians to develop a personalized treatment program. These programs include regular appointments with the patient’s care team, as well as in-app messaging, self-guided CBT exercises, and prescription management. Cerebral takes particular care to tailor its treatment to the individual. Cerebral offers care for alcohol dependence in 36 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin, and will continue the expansion of this program throughout 2022. If you're in a state that offers Cerebral's OUD or AUD program, start a free assessment to get started.

June is Pride Month! All across the globe  LGBTQ+ communities are coming together to celebrate their decades long struggle to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are.. Pride month honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which was a major turning point in the Gay Liberation Movement. Throughout the month, we celebrate those fighting for equality. In addition, we remember those who’ve lost their lives to injustice. Ultimately continuing  to push for the end of discrimination in regard to gender fluidity. Discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community Despite being a deeply personal and individual matter, non-heterosexuality remains under the microscope as a deviation from the standard, an abnormality. Those who identify as LGBTQ+ often find themselves in a place in which they  lack equality, freedom and basic human rights. Many states still offer little to no protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. LGBTQ+ people can still face inequality in employment, housing and public accommodation. Surveys confirm that LGBTQ+ workers face discrimination at work. LGBTQ+ workers of color have reported an increased likelihood of being denied a job. They also experience more verbal harassment and many LGBTQ+ employees still feel the need to “disguise” themselves in the workplace to avoid being mistreated. It can be harder for same-sex couples to adopt children. While reports  reveal horrific discrimination against transgender people. In addition, LGBTQ+ persons often find healthcare providers treat them differently and they receive less access to necessary care.  And this is only the tip of the iceberg… We live in a melting pot of a country, where diversity should ideally be celebrated. And yet, anyone who identifies as something other than heterosexual—as well as gender-fluid people—are at an automatic disadvantage. The ramifications of such can be life altering and have a negative impact on said persons. Sexual minorities have an increased risk for behavioral health issues, often times more leading to increased risk of experiencing  depression and anxiety . Data shows  that adults in the sexual minority  report higher substance use patterns compared to heterosexual adults. Often it is found that use of marijuana, opioids and cigarettes are consumed at a higher rate, which can often lead to more severe substance use disorders.  Ways to support LGBTQ+ individuals There are many simple, practical, yet powerful ways to be an ally for the LGBTQ+ community. Educate yourself. Become  aware of the anti-discrimination laws in your state. In your workplace. Research how local businesses promise to enforce equality. Become aware of the difference between gender and sex. Knowledge is power and the first step in supporting the LGBTQ+ crowd. Use your voice. Demolishing the negative stigma means speaking up when you see something wrong. Have you heard someone use a slur? Offer education on the topic and kindly correct them with the inclusive term. Is a coworker being harassed at work? Don’t sit idly by but bring the situation to the attention of someone in charge. In addition, make sure your coworker is ok and knows you are a safe space for them.. Do you feel like your workplace policies could be improved? Voice your thoughts. Silence is compliance.  Start a group. Does it feel like there’s a lack of safe, supportive places for your LGBTQ community? Take the initiative to start a group yourself. Even a monthly meeting at a coffee shop, restaurant or local library can make a world of difference to people who need the community. Do groups in your area already exist? Attend their events! LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources While we’ve made strides as a society in providing more support for the LGBTQ+ community, we still have a long way to go but help is available. Here are just a few suggestions of resources available. The It Gets Better Project is a global non-profit. It aims to uplift, empower and connect LGBTQ+ youth across the world. The site provides support, education and a list of events you can attend. There’s also The Trevor Project, which is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for young LGBTQ+ people. They offer counseling for the LGBTQ+ community. Get help by calling, texting or chatting with one of their crisis counselors. Connect with others online through their community and read through a plethora of  resources to support you on your journey. Their Crisis Text Line is another safe option! Q Chat Space hosts live chat groups for teens, where they can connect with other people who have shared  interests and gather new information. If you want to know how you can better support a loved one who is LGBTQ+, that’s what PFLAG is for. They provide information and resources not just for LGBTQ+ people but also for anyone who wants to be an ally. There are more than 400 chapters across the US and over 200,000 members. For trans mental health resources specifically, Trans Lifeline can help. It’s run by and for trans people, to provide peer support. For LGBTQ+ friendly therapists, Cerebral is just a few clicks away. Our caring team provides LGBTQ+ therapy online for individuals who might be struggling with their mental health. We take mental illness in the LGBTQ+ community seriously. Cerebral offers different monthly subscriptions to make mental healthcare more affordable and accessible. Should you need medication, we’ll deliver it right to your doorstep. We know that finding therapy for LGBTQ+ issues might feel challenging. Often times people struggle finding care where they know they’ll be accepted, understood and included. Our goal at Cerebral is to remove the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. In order to live the life you want, “healthcare” demands a holistic approach—mentally, physically and emotionally, which you’ll find with Cerebral. If you or a loved one is ready to talk to someone, Cerebral is ready to listen! Start by taking our free emotional assessment so we can get to know you better. This Pride Month—and every month—we send all of our love, support and companionship to the LGBTQ+ community.

Research tells us that in the United States alone, roughly 7.2% of people 12 years of age and older had a diagnosable substance use disorder (SUD) in the last year. 5.3% had an alcohol use disorder and 2.8% struggled with an illicit drug use disorder. What are the common signs that someone is suffering from substance use disorder, and importantly, how can you talk to them about it and encourage them to get help? Signs that someone has substance use disorder There are a number of warning signs that someone might be struggling with a substance addiction. These include: Changes in appearance: poor personal hygiene, dirty clothing Significant drop in work or school performance  Altered behavior, particularly increase in desiring privacy  Changes in appetite, such as a decreased appetite and associated weight loss  Drastic changes in relationships Poor financial management: spending more money than usual or lack of paying bills on time  Physical signs: track marks on the skin, or signs of drug inhalation, like thinning of the mucosa in the nose or septum perforation . Evidence of intoxication or withdrawal, like slurred speech, sweating, runny nose, watery eyes, or irritability. Those with mental health conditions are also at increased risk of developing substance use disorders. Some of these include:  Anxiety disorders Depression Bipolar disorder PTSD Eating disorders Schizophrenia ADHD How to help a loved one with a substance use problem If someone you care about is struggling, what can you do about it? Here are a few suggestions. Introduce them to a support group  Alcoholics Anonymous is an example of a well known support group. For more than 80 years, Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions of people recover from alcoholism—to get and stay sober. While more research is needed, studies suggest that peer support groups can help fight addiction. Specifically, they can benefit substance use behaviors, treatment engagement, secondary substance-related behaviors (like cravings and self-efficacy), and assist in mitigating behaviors that increase risk of contracting HIV and/or hepatitis C. Provide support, but avoid giving advice It can be tempting to go into fix-it mode, but this is something that needs to be left to the professionals. (More on that in a minute.) Instead, you want to make clear to your friend or relative that your goal is to support them, not try to fix them. It comes down to having an open and honest conversation. And ideally, you want to do more listening than talking. Here are a few prompts to consider: “How do you feel when…” “How do drugs/alcohol make you feel better?” “Do certain things trigger you to drink/do drugs?” Help them feel heard and encourage them to share their side of things. You want to create a safe space for them to be honest about what’s happening in their life. State feelings as opinions, not facts Understandably, your loved one might go on the defense if you approach them about their substance abuse. It helps to frame your viewpoints as opinions rather than facts. The easiest way to do this? Start your statements with “I think” or “I feel.” Importantly, invite them to respond, even if it’s to disagree. Talk with them, not at them. Offer specific examples of behavior that concerns you Your loved one might not even realize that their substance use has gotten out of control. Or, they might suspect it but ultimately deny it. It helps to get specific with them to help them better understand why you’re concerned. For instance, there’s a huge difference between “You never do what you say you’re going to do,” and, “The last three times you said you’d pick up the kids, you didn’t show.” Of course, avoid a tone that can come across as accusatory. The point is not to highlight everything they’re doing wrong, but instead, use them as gentle examples of why you’re so worried about them. Encourage them to seek professional help You might be tempted to try to solve this yourself, but research tells us that addiction is a chronic disease. Getting proper medical health is important to the individual’s recovery and safety. Substance abuse is overwhelming, but the good news is that it is treatable. Specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals change behaviors that are making them more vulnerable to substance abuse. Therapy will help them understand their risk factors for use, boost their self-efficacy, and teach them how to cope with their emotions in healthier ways. Support any and all progress A single conversation or therapy session isn’t going to fix everything. In fact, in the beginning, you might not notice a difference at all, but that’s okay. Because addiction is a chronic disease of the brain, undoing dangerous habits might take longer, especially if the individual goes through a challenging withdrawal period. As part of their support system, you should celebrate any and all wins, no matter how small they may seem. Did your loved one go to their support group meeting even when they didn’t want to? Did they attend their online therapy appointment as scheduled? Did they opt for a healthier coping mechanic when they would’ve previously turned to drugs or alcohol? This is all progress, even if they’re not fully “healed” yet. Getting them the help they need Help is all around you. If you’re having a hard time with someone who’s struggling, or if you’d like to point them in the right direction, learn more about Cerebral's comprehensive Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment program. If you'd like to do more research, you can learn more about Cerebral and other OUD treatment programs.