Embracing Diversity: Supporting LGBTQ Recoverees on the Journey to Healing
Johanna Dolan, B.Msc., SIC, RCP, RPS
Steering Committee, Peer Integration
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Every person's path to recovery from addiction is unique. The journey toward healing is deeply personal, influenced by diverse experiences, identities, and backgrounds. As peers, we must understand and appreciate the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) recoverees. By encouraging an inclusive and supportive environment, we can ensure that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feel safe and empowered in their recovery process.
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Let's explore the importance of working with LGBTQ recoverees and how we can offer practical support.
1. Recognize and address unique challenges:
Understanding the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ folx in recovery is essential to offering appropriate support. Many LGBTQ recoverees experience higher rates of substance use due to various factors, including societal stigma, discrimination, and internalized homophobia or transphobia. By acknowledging these challenges, we can create a space where LGBTQ individuals feel comfortable discussing their experiences openly and honestly. Listening with empathy, validating our feelings, and providing resources to address each person's needs is crucial.
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The Peer Recovery Center of Excellence, in partnership with Transgender Equity Consulting, is offering a series of workshops for peer recovery support specialists to improve their ability to work with Trans, Gender nonconforming, and Nonbinary (TGNCNB) folks. The primary goal of these workshops is to provide all participants with tools that they can use every day which will better equip them to work with TGNCNB individuals. Additionally, these workshops will frame the information presented in a way that connects the radical history of peer support work to working with and supporting marginalized communities. Find out more.
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SAMHSA Publishes National Model Standards for Substance
Use, Mental Health, and Family Peer Worker Certifications
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Peer Workforce Integration is a Primary Goal of
President Biden’s National Mental Health Strategy
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), today published National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification for substance use, mental health, and family peer workers. The national model standards were created to accelerate universal adoption, recognition, and integration of the peer workforce across all elements of the health care system. A peer worker is someone who, through their own lived experience of addressing a substance use or mental health issue, works to help others.
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Take a look at the following Peer Support and RCO spaces doing great work with the LGBTQ community.
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The Peer Recovery Center of Excellence's new website brings you a fresh look, easy-to-read content, and a streamlined way to find our valuable resources, products, and technical assistance. Our new website aligns with our goal to continually support and enhance the field of peer recovery support services and those who do the work everyday!
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Recovery Related News and Events
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Funding for this initiative was made possible by grant no. 1H79TI083022 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
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