Recovery Centers of America’s (RCA) Capital Region addiction treatment facility launched a new specialized program, called “Acceptance,”  targeting substance use disorder among people of all genders and sexualities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and allies (LGBTQIA+). The Capital Region facility is located in Waldorf, Maryland; it serves the District of Columbia and surrounding Maryland and Virginia. About 10% of all RCA Capital Region consumers are currently enrolled in the Acceptance program.

People who identify as LGBTQIA+ often face social stigma, discrimination, and other challenges not encountered by the heterosexual and cisgender community. The challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ population can include harassment and violence. Consequently, sexual minorities are at increased risk for various behavioral health issues, including drug and alcohol addiction.

Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) suggests that the incidence of substance misuse by adults identifying as sexual minorities is higher compared to heterosexual adults. Past year opioid use (including misuse of prescription opioid medications or heroin use) was higher, with 9% of sexual minority adults aged 18 or older reporting use compared to 3.8% among the overall adult population. The NSDUH survey also shows that alcohol addiction among sexual minority young adults (ages 18 through 25) is higher, with 12.4% reporting a disorder, compared to 10.1% in the overall population.

Current research suggests that treatment for sexual and gender minorities should address unique factors in these individuals’ lives that may include homophobia/transphobia, family problems, violence, and social isolation. Some studies have shown that addiction treatment programs offering specialized treatment groups for LGBTQIA+ individuals have better outcomes than non-specialized programs.

All RCA Capital Region staff have been trained to be more sensitive to the needs of gender and sexuality minority individuals so that the entire treatment environment is LGBTQIA+ friendly.  Other specialized programs offered at RCA Capital region include the PRISE program for people who have relapsed and a program tailored to those who have experienced trauma called Breaking Free.

Recovery Centers of America is based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and provides evidence-based addiction care at 10 inpatient treatment centers, eight outpatient facilities, and five opioid medication treatment programs spanning Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois. Four RCA drug addiction treatment facilities were recently named as 2020 best U.S. treatment facilities focusing on addiction by a leading national statistics firm and media outlet. RCA has also pioneered a successful comprehensive telehealth addiction treatment program. The Acceptance program is also offered at the RCA treatment center in Danvers, Massachusetts.

This was reported by Recovery Centers of America on March 4, 2021.

Contact information: Recovery Centers of America, 2701 Renaissance Boulevard, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406; Website: https://recoverycentersofamerica.com/