2 Illinois LGBTQ-Friendly Drug Rehab Centers

There are numerous options for substance abuse treatment in Illinois, and some rehab center options which cater specifically to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This includes people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning.

Addiction treatment services at this type of facility include many of the same services as a traditional rehab center, with additional options to serve the unique needs of those in sexual orientation minorities.

Further, the staff at LGBTQ+ rehab centers typically receive special training that allows them to be more affirming and understanding to those with unique needs.

List Of LGBTQ+ Drug Rehab Centers In Illinois

The following is a list of LGBTQ+ rehab centers in Illinois that are reputable and possess certain marks of quality care.

Marks of quality care include:

• awards and accolades
• designation as a nonprofit organization
• positive client testimonials
• funding from the state

1. Gateway Foundation, Lake Villa, Illinois

Lake Villa offers both a residential inpatient program and intensive outpatient treatment in Lake Villa, IL, with multiple locations throughout Illinois.

All outpatient and residential treatment plans at this rehan center are highly individualized for each person’s needs.

In addition to medical detox and medication-assisted treatment, this rehab facility offers an abundance of amenities and therapy options, including motivational interviewing and acceptance and commitment therapy.

Marks of quality care at this treatment center include:

• award-winning
• positive client testimonials
• accreditation by the Joint Commission

2. WestCare Illinois, Chicago, Illinois

At WestCare Illinois, people facing substance abuse have access to both basic outpatient treatment and an intensive outpatient program (IOP) in Chicago, IL.

They offer programs that are both community-based and corrections-based to adults and young adults, in addition to offering a bilingual program for non-English speakers.

They take a trauma-informed approach to treating substance use as well as co-occurring disorders.

Features of quality care at this treatment facility include:

• designation as a nonprofit organization
• accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
• licensing by the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR)

Prevalence Of Substance Use In The LGBTQ+ Community

People who are LGBTQ+ often grow up with and live with discrimination, prejudice, and sometimes even violence that those who are not in a sexual orientation minority may not have ever experienced.

Research has shown that people who identify as gay or lesbian are twice as likely to have a severe substance use disorder than those who are straight.

Furthermore, people who identify as bisexual are three times as likely.

People who are undecided or questioning their sexual orientation are up to five times as likely to also experience a substance use disorder than those in the general population.

Factors That Influence Substance Use In The LGBTQ+ Community

While it is an undisputed fact that LGBTQ+ people are more likely to struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, it is important to look at the reasons why this may be the case.

Risk factors for LGBTQ+ people and substance abuse may include:

• recent or past trauma
• co-occuring mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety
• lack of a healthy support network
• feeling discriminated against at work, school, or home
• general mistrust in doctors and the healthcare system
• a history of drug addiction or substance abuse
• genetic factors
• homelessness or unsafe home environment

What To Look For In An LGBTQ+ Drug Rehabilitation Program In Illinois

Members of the LGBTQ+ community may be most comfortable at an addiction treatment center that understands they have certain needs and offers specialized programs as a result.

These rehab centers are sometimes referred to as “gay-friendly” or “LGBTQ-friendly”.

LGBTQ+ treatment programs tend to offer a mixture of treatment options to treat drug and alcohol addiction that have shown to be most effective.

Some of the most effective treatment services for LGBTQ+ people include:

• trauma-informed therapy
• individual, group, and family therapy
• HIV/AIDS testing services
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• dialectical behavior therapy
• case management
• medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders

Find An LGBTQ+ Friendly Illinois Drug Rehab Center Today

If you or a loved one is a member of the LGBT community and are looking to find a recovery program with an addiction treatment program to address your needs, give our helpline a call.

It is never too early or too late to get the help you need for substance abuse, and recovery is just a phone call away.