NO-ONE BLOOMS IN ISOLATION: COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR SUBSTANCE MISUSE
Published: April 12, 2024 by
Chal Zon
Many LGBTQ+ people struggle with drug and alcohol misuse. 1 in 6 LGBT people drink alcohol every day, but only 1 in 10 in the general population drinks alcohol five or more days a week. LGB adults are around 4 times more likely to have taken Class A drugs in the last year compared with heterosexual adults. The causes of such high rates of substance misuse in the LGBTQ+ community are complicated. For many, the easiest way to associate with other LGBTQ+ people is in bars and clubs, and dangerous drug use during chemsex is on the rise. Rising anti-LGBTQ+ prejudice in the UK can have an impact on our mental health, and LGBTQ+ people are already much more likely to suffer from emotional or psychological issues. These issues often worsen as we try to cope over winter. It’s easy to turn to substance use to self-medicate, but much harder to cut out the habit.
Drug and alcohol misuse has drastic physical, mental, and social consequences. In the short-term, substance misuse can lead to injuries, violence and antisocial behaviour, unsafe sex, and can impact your education or work. Long-term misuse of drugs or alcohol can change your brain chemistry, causing neurological issues. It can cause major organ damage and lead to life-threatening cancer.
How can I access understanding, identity-affirming support?
Substance misuse can affect every part of your life, from employment to relationships and beyond. Sadly, LGBTQ+ people rarely reach out for support until crisis point for fear of mistreatment by healthcare providers. But there are loads of LGBTQ+-led and affirming recovery support out there, from peer groups to LGBTQ+-specific recovery programmes. No-one blooms in isolation – the best place to start your recovery is in community with others who share your experience. Find out what support is out there in the list below.
Here and Now: A mutual aid support group for LGBT+ people to share their experiences with substance misuse and addiction with each other in a safe space and a friendly atmosphere. All people are welcome, including those worried about smoking addiction. Whether you’re right at the beginning of your journey or you want to maintain your goals in your recovery, Here and Now is a place for everybody to come together. Meetings are held every Tuesday at LGBT Foundation’s Community Centre: 2nd Floor Fairbairn House, Sackville Street, M1 3NJ.
Chemsafe: A peer-support group of friendly and non-judgmental people that share advice and experiences around chemsex, empowering each other to reach individual goals – whether that be sober sex or a harm reduction route. Each session has a different topic and we will look at sharing helpful information and discussion and support around these topics. We cover topics such as; consent, sober sex, harm reduction, online safety and other topics that are identified as relevant. The group takes place on the last Wednesday of the month 6-8pm at LGBT Foundation’s Community Centre: 2nd Floor Fairburn House, Sackville Street, M1 3NJ.
LGBTQ+ SMART Recovery: SMART Recovery is a self-management cognitive behavioural therapy recovery program where you can work with peers in a safe space to learn how to use simple tools to look at motivation, cravings, urges and relapse prevention. SMART tools can help you manage your addictive behaviours and also be used universally in your day-to-day life. This group takes place every Thursday 6pm both online via Zoom (email for access), and in person at LGBT Foundation’s Community Centre: 2nd Floor Fairburn House, Sackville Street, M1 3NJ.
Change Grow Live: CGL offers LGBTQ+ inclusive support and advice across Manchester and England for substance misuse, including chemsex.
SMART Recovery website: SMART Recovery has a useful tool to search for recovery support near you.
Eclypse Manchester: Eclypse, run by Change Grow Live, offers support and advice for under-25s in Manchester struggling with substance misuse.
56 Dean Street (London): If you live in London and are looking for support with substance misuse in chemsex, 56 Dean St offer in-house short-term work and referral to specialist groups and services.
London Friend (London): London Friend offer advice and info for drug misuse and chemsex in London, including their Antidote helpline, which you can call to discuss your drug or alcohol issues on 020 7833 1674 (10am-6pm, Monday to Friday). Ask for someone from the Antidote Team.
Talk to Frank: Talk to Frank has a useful database of local and national services in England that provide confidential information, advice and support.
