Tag: LGBTQ+

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What Is a Chosen Family?

Chosen families are often developed as a replacement for, or addition to, biological families. 

These families have a profound impact. This is especially true for LGBTQ+ folks who face rejection and homophobia, and anyone who doesn’t have adequate support from their family of origin. Here’s a look at the benefits of chosen family, plus practical steps you can take to create these vital connections.

Chosen Family vs. Family of Origin: Finding Support Beyond Blood

While families of origin play a significant role in shaping us, they don’t always offer an ideal environment or sufficient support for navigating life’s challenges. Our birth families may not have the emotional maturity to accept our changing realities, and they may not be the best source of support for recovery. In fact, addiction is usually a product of unresolved trauma, which often has its roots in early childhood. 

This is where the dynamics of chosen families shine.

Defining Found Family 

So what is a chosen family, exactly?

Unlike families that we’re born into, found families are actively chosen by their members and built on shared values, experiences, and understanding. They provide an important refuge from adversity, and a sense of belonging that members may be missing elsewhere in their lives. 

Challenges of Chosen Families 

However, challenges can arise within chosen families:

  • Unclear legal status: Limited legal rights make issues like medical decisions or inheritance more complex for chosen families. But diverse family structures are gaining legal recognition,1 with several U.S. states requiring employers to allow sick leave to care for anyone who is the “equivalent of family.”
  • Social stigma: Societal expectations toward “traditional” families can cause others to judge or misunderstand chosen families.
  • Normal family challenges: No family is perfect—and that includes chosen family. Your found family can have disagreements and rifts just like any other interpersonal relationship. 

Despite these hitches, the strength and support found in chosen families often exceed conventional family structures. And that’s especially helpful when facing challenges around addiction and mental health.

Finding and cultivating a robust support system is crucial to your healing journey, and to life in general. If your relationship with your birth family isn’t entirely supportive, chosen family can be a great way to gain validation and find your place in the world. 

Why Chosen Family Matters in the LGBTQ+ Community

Chosen family is vital to many LGBTQ+ people who, despite significant progress in recent decades, still encounter deeply impactful homophobia and abuse. Even today, 39% of queer people say they’ve been rejected by family2 members or friends—if they tell their families at all. Just 56% say they’ve come out to their mother, and 39% have come out to their father. 

For people who face rejection from their birth families, the safety of found family is even more critical. One study on the meaning of “family” in queer communities3 found that “Biological family is sometimes associated with words that instigate fear, danger, and insecurity, while the concept of chosen family is associated with words like trusting, like-minded, understanding, welcoming, loving, committed, etc.”

Found family relationships in the queer community were formalized in the ‘70s by the ballroom scene, where trans people and drag queens live together, take the name of their house, and refer to each other using family terms. 

Found Family and LGBTQ+ Homeless Youth

Chosen family is especially important for young queer people, many of whom face housing instability because of rejection or violence at home. 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ+.4 

One trans woman named Star recalls how her chosen queer family helped her survive after leaving home at 19:

In high school I was living with a homophobic uncle who gay bashed someone…He said ‘I bashed them because they didn’t tell me what they were. I need to know… what are you?’ I ran away. Then, after coming out as trans at 18, someone I was staying with gave me two weeks to leave. At 19, I got a one-way train ticket to San Francisco.

Star ended up homeless at age 20 after facing struggles with housing and employment. It was her new queer community that eventually connected her with work and housing.

“I was cast in a queer cabaret—I lived in a shelter and went to rehearsals,” said Star. “When my time was up at the shelter, I was able to get a sublet through my new connections.” 

Even for people who aren’t facing homelessness, chosen family can be a lifeline in a world of otherwise inadequate support. 

Benefits of Chosen Family

These meaningful connections impact multiple areas of life: 

Emotional Support

Many people are attracted to chosen families because they feel accepted and valued for who they are—an experience they may not have had with their family of origin. When you’re in mental health or addiction recovery, a safe space for vulnerability is essential to your healing progress. 

Reducing Isolation

Loneliness is a part of life. But excessive social isolation can lead to anxiety and depression, or worsen symptoms of existing mental health conditions. Chosen family builds in a social safety net that lets you know you’re not alone through life’s ups and downs.

Healing Developmental Trauma 

Parents are just people with children. They may not be fully equipped to raise their kids to be secure, emotionally mature adults. All of us deal with some degree of developmental trauma.6 Chosen family can provide the nurturing, acceptance and understanding we lacked in childhood, filling in the gaps where our birth families fell short. 

Mutual Aid and Tangible Support

Chosen family can be a reliable source of practical help in times of need. This might take the form of financial assistance, caregiving, or help during an emergency.

Resilience Against Adversity

If you have a history of complex trauma, you may have a heightened stress response.7 That can be further compounded by minority stress related to your sexual orientation or gender identity. If that’s the case, you may feel more empowered to deal with life’s challenges with the unwavering support of found family members in your corner.

Diverse Perspectives

Because chosen families bring together people from various backgrounds, they often offer more diversity in perspectives, experiences, and cultures than biological families.

Improving Relationships With Your Family of Origin

Breaking cycles of generational trauma8 is extremely difficult to do on your own. If your goal is to heal your relationship with your birth family, it can be easier to do so with the support of your found family. 

Coming out to my birth family is an ongoing process, and one that is incredibly scary for me. I couldn’t have done it without my found family’s support, because as accepting as my family has been, that acceptance was never guaranteed,” says GLAAD contributor Pallas Gutierrez. “Without a found family who would accept and love me9 to rely on, my relationship to my birth family would be very different.

Your chosen family should give you the freedom to show up in the world as your true self: someone with valid thoughts, emotions, and the right to exist, just like everyone else. 

If you don’t have a chosen family, how do you go about finding one? 

How to Find Your Chosen Family

Daniel Blevins, founder of the group Stand In Pride, says to build a chosen family,10 start by assessing connections you already have: 

Take stock of the people who are around you, people who make you feel safe. Who checks on you? Who’s concerned about your well-being? Who’s making sure that you’re OK? Just having that connection with someone who instinctively knows when you’re not OK, I think that’s a good indicator that you’re more than just friends.

LGBTQ+ rights organization Family Equality11 also suggests asking yourself these questions: 

  • How do you define family?
  • What do you see when you picture your chosen family?
  • What family roles are important to you?
  • Do you need help? If so, how?

Then, write down 1-2 friends you’d like to strengthen your relationship with. Think of how you can approach your friendship with these people more intentionally. When you’re ready, expand that list to 5-10 people. 

Connect Online

Several online communities exist to connect queer people with supportive community:

  • Stand in Pride has both international and local community chapters.
  • Free Mom Hugs holds local events throughout the U.S. and Canada.
  • Findhelp.org lets you enter your zip code to find help with logistical needs that a family member might normally help with. 

Remember to choose your family well! These should be people you feel comfortable with, feel like you can be yourself around, trust, and who truly have your best interests at heart. 

Tip: Good relationships are reciprocal. An even flow of giving and receiving, talking and listening, is a sign of a healthy friendship. If you constantly feel drained after hanging out with someone, or have to explain to them how to be a decent friend, take these into account as potential red flags. 

Find Other Support in Addition to Your Chosen Family

If you’re looking to kickstart your healing journey and make healthy connections in the process, rehab can be a great launchpad. Community is a key component of most treatment programs, with rehab peers, group therapy, support groups, and existing social connections all playing a part in your healing. 

Browse LGBTQ+ friendly rehabs to find a program that meets your needs and reach out to admissions staff directly.  

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Coming Out and Mental Health: Navigating the Emotional Journey

Coming out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community can feel daunting, liberating, scary, or all of the above. It can also have positive or negative impacts on your mental health, both of which you can navigate. 

Don’t feel like you need to follow a script, set of steps, or anything else to successfully come out. It’s up to you and what you’re comfortable with. You know your life and circumstances better than anyone else. 

But you do have resources for the journey and its emotional effects. 

Understanding Coming Out

The American Psychological Association defines coming out1 as, “self-awareness of same-sex attractions; the telling of one or a few people about these attractions; widespread disclosure of same-sex attractions; and identification with the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community.” 

For many, coming out shapes the rest of their lives. It can be one of the most significant journeys you ever face. For others, it’s not a big deal. It’s different for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay.

Challenges And Fears of Coming Out

A potent fear related to coming out is the possibility of rejection. Your loved ones could reject your core identity, and that would hurt. 

Social prejudices, misconceptions, and misguided views could also make coming out scary, both right away and in your future. Even if the reactions aren’t negative, they might not feel affirming, either. Both can hurt.

Picking the right time to come out can also feel like a challenge. When do you say it, and who do you tell? Should you tell one person, or a group of your friends and family? 

Only you can truly answer those questions. But the weight of wondering can affect your wellbeing. Drinking or using drugs could seem like a way to alleviate the stress. If you’re struggling with addiction, you can browse our list of LGBTQ+-affirming rehabs. 

Mental Health Considerations in Coming Out

Feeling unaccepted can lead to depression, anxiety, and even trauma. Society’s attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community can also cause minority stress2, which can exacerbate or cause mental health conditions. Some may experience chronic minority stress, which means they’re hypervigilant to possible discrimination, frequently worried about it, or carry internalized stigma of themselves. 

This stress, fear, grief, and trauma can create or worsen mental health conditions. It’s not hard to see why—but that’s not how the story has to go. 

The Impact of Attitudes And Acceptance on Mental Health

Coming out could relieve the emotional toll of hiding. When you come out, you won’t have to adjust your behaviors, actions, and words to hide who you really are. That can feel like a deep relief. 

But make sure you know how you feel about your identity. Take a deep and thoughtful search of your heart—what do you feel when you think about who you are? Internalized homophobia can add stress and shame to your coming out journey. As much as you’re able, try to find and challenge these feelings. 

Coming out can lead to self-acceptance, which can powerfully erase any internalized homophobia. And once you’ve accepted and embraced who you are, what others think might not matter so much. It’s okay and normal if it does. You have ways to navigate that, too. 

Mental Health Resources for the Coming Out Process

Many support groups, online chats, and other resources can help you through the coming-out process. Here’s a few:

  • PFLAG: A LGBTQ+ resource with 400 local chapters in America. Started in 1973, they were the first organization to offer help, education, and support to LGBTQ+ people and their families.
  • 988: They provide resources for LGBTQ+ people and a 24/7, nation-wide suicide crisis hotline. 
  • The Trevor Project: They’re the world’s largest crisis service for LGBTQ+ youth ages 25 and under. You can call, text, or chat the crisis interventionists here 24/7. 
  • Trans Lifeline: A crisis line for trans people that respects your rights and doesn’t use non-consensual interventions.
  • Pride Counseling: A specialized online counseling service for the LGBTQ+ community.
  • LGBT National Help Center: They provide a phone hotline for LGBTQ+ people of all ages to speak with an educated volunteer about identity struggles, coming out, and other concerns. 
comingout

Self-Care Strategies for Mental Well Being

Coming out likely won’t be completely stress-free, and that’s okay. Whether the stressor is big or small, you have ways to manage your emotions and improve your wellbeing. 

You can practice mindfulness and meditation when your emotions feel overwhelming. Try to identify the support you have in your life, too. The resources listed above definitely count as someone you can talk to when you feel overwhelmed.

Be sure to practice self-care, self-compassion, and self-acceptance as you plan and execute coming out. Don’t force yourself to follow what anyone else did, either. The way and time you come out is unique to you—try to take comfort in that. Here’s some other self-care steps you can take:

Your mentor could be someone who came out months or years ago. They can help you through the process and offer support from someone who’s really been there. 

To find one, you can connect to an openly queer person in your life. Even if they’re not able to help you throughout the whole process, it might help you to know that they know what you’re going through. If you don’t know any potential mentors, or don’t feel comfortable doing so, you can connect with others online. 

Building Resilience and Creating a Supportive Environment

A negative reaction to your identity will probably hurt. But you can manage that pain by building resilience and creating a supportive, safe environment for yourself.

The American Psychological Association suggests group environments build resilience3. Your group may be other LGTBQ+ people in your neighborhood, work, or school, or a more formalized LGBTQ+ gathering. All your group must do is offer support and bring you happiness to strengthen your recovery. 

A supportive environment will feel safe and accepting. For you, this might include your family, friends, or others in the LGBTQ+ community. It differs for everyone, and that’s okay. If your environment becomes unsupportive, consider leaving it, if you can. Mental health professionals can help you navigate this change. 

Resilience also ties into self-care. The healthier you are physically, the more prepared you’ll be to handle emotional challenges. Take care of your mind, too. That’s where meditation, journaling, and mindfulness come in.

Reach The Other Side of Your Rainbow

Coming out is your unique journey. It can come with stress, worry, and fear, even if you’re excited for the change. But you have help available along the way. 

Along the way, make sure to prioritize your mental health and well being. You can do so through therapy, engaging in support, and actively practicing self-care. 

And remember that your coming-out process is your own. If you think writing out a script will help, do it! If a video seems more helpful, or even baking a cake, do that! The path you take is up to you.

Good luck and be well.

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Sober Women of History

Sober women have contributed to the recovery movement in America since it first began. Their early contributions helped make the recovery space more accessible and acceptable for women. 

Women also advocated for gender-specific treatment, support groups, and 12-Step meetings. Their work is still felt around the world today. Some rehabs cater to just women, too. 

Women in Recovery Who Made a Difference

Each and every woman in recovery makes a difference. Women who challenged the stigma of addiction and recovery early on paved the way for continued advocacy, fresh recovery programs, and support. 

Betty Ford (1918-2011)

Former First Lady Betty Ford left a large mark on the addiction treatment scene and the stigma surrounding it. After a battle with opioid and alcohol addictions, an intervention, and treatment, Betty realized she was in a unique position to make a difference. 

First Lady Betty Ford helped create her own treatment center, the Betty Ford Center, designed to help both men and women find recovery. Betty Ford Centers have since expanded across America. 

The Betty Ford organization merged with the Hazelden Foundation in 2014. Hazelden pioneered the Minnesota-model of treatment1, which focuses on 12-Step treatment. Their merge broadened the impact of Betty’s first decision to make her addiction known and use her notoriety to help others.

Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D (1923-2000)

Jean Kirkpatrick, sociologist, formed Women for Sobriety in 1975. She attended 12-Step AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings throughout her recovery process. After finding a need for women-focused treatment, she created a solution herself: Women for Sobriety2. 

Women for Sobriety groups meet across America now. Dr. Kirkpatrick’s history of repeated relapses, research, and life-long determination brought a gift to the world many women continue to enjoy. 

Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

American actress Elizabeth Taylor lived a lavish, seemingly ideal life. But after a spinal surgery and other health conditions, she became addicted to prescription pain pills3. She also struggled with alcohol addiction. 

Elizabeth Taylor made the decision to publicly announce her admittance to Betty Ford Center, Betty Ford’s first treatment center. By doing so, Elizabeth gave permission for other celebrities to do the same. She also normalized treatment for women—even pretty, successful ones like her.

As a Hollywood Icon, Elizabeth Taylor embodied who many women wished they could be. So seeing her go to rehab, openly admit it, and then go again after a relapse may have been more impactful than she’ll ever realize.  

Nora Volkow (1956-Present)

Nora Volkow, current director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), changed the way we see addiction. Her work in brain imagery showed that addiction isn’t a character flaw or personal failing. Rather, it’s a tangible change in the brain. 

Her work contributed heavily to the disease model of addiction4. This revolutionized the old idea of addiction being something to punish. Now, for many, it’s something to treat.

Women in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provides a resource for Americans struggling with alcohol addiction. While it didn’t specifically exclude women, they weren’t welcomed in the same way men were. Usually, women were seen as the supportive spouse, attending just for their husbands’ sake. Or, women were villainized for their addiction. 

Some of the very first women in AA decided to change that.  

Florence R. (?-1943)

Florence was one of the very first members of AA5. She joined one of the pioneering groups in New York, wrote the first section written by a woman in the Big Book, and tried to start an AA group in Washington. 

Though she didn’t succeed, and eventually returned to drinking, Florence made AA meetings somewhere women could go, too. Those early members became family to her—something that still happens to this day.

In Florence’s case, just showing up to meetings made her an early AA icon. Despite her sobriety not lasting, she still made AA meetings a more accepting, open place for women.

Marty Mann (1904-1980)

Marty supported the disease model of addiction, a brave move at a time when it wasn’t yet proven. She was one of the first women to bring awareness to addiction6 as something to heal, not punish. Marty fought against the stigma women in particular received: that they were promiscuous, uncontrollable, and without value. Instead, she advocated for recovery through acceptance.

Marty Mann also founded the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. She encouraged other women to get help, and those in the LGBTQ+ community. As a gay woman, Marty Mann bridged gaps between 2 underserved communities and the help they deserved. 

Dr. Ruth Fox (1896-1989)

Dr. Fox became the first medical director of The National Council on Alcoholism in 1959. She was one of the first psychoanalysts to take alcoholic patients. And she pioneered the use of Antabuse7 to treat alcohol addiction, which we still use today.

Dr. Ruth Fox also founded the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies. 

Dr. LeClair Bissell (1928-2008)

Dr. Bissell co-founded the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)8. Like Marty Mann, she helped change the way the public saw addiction, women in recovery, and gay women. LeClair also advocated heavily for alcoholism treatment in professionals, specifically medical professionals. 

All these women changed the way women and the world see recovery. They made healing seem like a safe option for women who were scared, embarrassed, and without hope–but wanted out.

Those options for recovery still exist today, for men and women. And we have a lot of people to thank for that.

Find a Recovery Program Today

Much has changed from the early days of AA and recovery as a whole. While the stigma surrounding addiction hasn’t yet disappeared, these early women in recovery diminished it bit by bit. 
Thanks to them and many others around the world, ethical, women-focused recovery programs exist globally. You can browse our list of women-only rehabs and see photos, reviews, insurance information, and more.

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Houston Rehabs: Specialized Care by Top-Notch Professionals

Houston—or “H-Town” as it’s often called by locals—is known for its year-round warm and sunny weather, numerous outdoor activities, and multicultural population. Many treatment centers in Houston take advantage of the temperate climate, outdoor programs, plentiful walking paths, gardens, and more.

Houston offers exceptional treatment options for executives, youth and adolescents, and LGBTQ+ clients, and is in close proximity to the Texas Medical Center (TMC), the largest medical complex in the world.1

By choosing a comfortable setting for recovery, you can relax and focus on your healing process. Houston could be the best place for you if you’re looking for easy access to nature, laid-back local culture, and a diverse area with some of the best medical professionals in the industry.

Houston’s Outdoor Opportunities

This vibrant city is full of outdoor areas for residents to enjoy. In fact, Houston was ranked number 1 in the United States for total green space2 compared to other cities of similar density. The area is often warm and sunny, although it’s considered “subtropical” and still gets about 50 inches of rain per year on average. Buffalo Bayou runs through the city, and the surrounding park offers a beautiful backdrop of lush greenery against its skyscrapers.

Spending time outdoors and in nature helps promote healing and relaxation. One study found that just 5-10 minutes of exercise outside each day improves both mood and self-esteem.3 Houston offers many opportunities for residents to experience nature, whether by kayaking through Buffalo Bayou, running on the oak-lined path along the Outer Loop at Rice University, or hiking through tropical forests at Big Thicket Park.

Houston’s Diversity

Houston is full of rich cultural diversity. It’s known as a multicultural city and hosts one of the largest Pride parades in the U.S.,4 with almost 700,000 in attendance in 2019. It’s the 4th largest city in the country, and Houston’s current demographics show the projected outlook for diversity5 in the rest of the nation in 40 years. Thanks to this diversity, health professionals in Houston are well-equipped to treat a wide variety of conditions, adapting their care to specific patients.

The Texas Medical Center

Texas medical center
The Texas Medical Center is the world’s largest medical city, spanning over 2 square miles.

The Texas Medical Center is a world-renowned medical district,6 taking up more than 2 square miles in south-central Houston. The center includes 21 hospitals, many of which are considered the best in the U.S., as well as 8 academic and research institutions. Together, these facilities make up the 50+ total medical organizations in the region. Houston’s close proximity to TMC means that health professionals in this area are often some of the best in their fields, and up to date on the latest research to better help you with your recovery.

Connect With Your Community in Houston Rehabs

Rehab is an opportunity to build community with people who share similar goals. If you enjoy spending time outside, desire a more multicultural setting, or are interested in the arts, a program in Houston might be a good fit. LGBTQ+ rehab clients will feel especially welcome here, as will people of multicultural backgrounds. By connecting with people who share some of your life experiences, you can give and receive mutual support during recovery.

Recovery for Adolescents and Young Adults

J. Flowers Health Institute and The Menninger Clinic both provide care for adolescents and young adults. Both institutes place a heavy focus on one-on-one counseling and offer family therapy. They work to create extremely personalized treatment plans for younger clients, within environments that have been designed to meet their unique needs. “That’s the piece that means the most to me, is really seeing people go home, and thrive in life,” says the center’s founder, Dr. James S. Flowers.

menninger clinic
The Menninger Clinic has been treating clients for over 95 years and offers programs specialized for certain demographics.

Gender-Specific and LGBTQ+ Treatment

Several treatment centers understand the importance of gender-specific recovery. Eudaimonia Recovery Homes, for example, has a women’s home, a men’s apartment, and an LGBTQ+ house. These affordable residences are meant to provide safe and secure living environments, and are accompanied by a 3-phase recovery program that helps to “promote personal growth and life skills, provide accountability, and support ongoing sobriety with outpatient services.” Sometimes, being surrounded by people with similar life experiences can help you feel more comfortable throughout the healing process.

Eudaimonia Recovery home living room
Eudaimonia Recovery Homes provides gender-specific recovery and housing.

Programs for Executives

The J. Flowers Health Institute specializes in treating professionals and aims to provide quality care in a shorter amount of time. “We have the brightest minds in the country here in Houston, Texas because of the Texas Medical Center,” says co-founder Robbin Mooney. “What normally takes weeks or months to get in front of some of the top specialists here, Dr. Flowers and the team can usually get our clients in 1-2 days.”

J.Flowers yoga
J. Flowers Health Institute sits on spacious, verdant grounds and offers access to top-notch professional care.

Traveling to Houston

Houston is easily reachable by plane. Its 2 airports are serviced from many destinations, both domestic and international. Driving is also an option, although flying is certainly easier. A staff member from your rehab center will typically pick you up upon arrival at the airport. Make sure you check with your admissions team before booking your travel plans, to find out which options are available.

Houston is a bustling metropolitan area, but many treatment centers are tucked away in quieter suburbs or across larger grounds for a more peaceful setting. The city is also easily accessible by car.

Amenities and Activities

Houston locals enjoy spending time outdoors and getting involved in the city’s arts and music scene. Some treatment centers even invite clients to focus on artistic pursuits during treatment. For example, both The Right Step and Briarwood Detox offer music and art therapies. These, along with other experiential therapies “allow you to focus on the mind-body connection, an important aspect of healing.”

At Briarwood Detox, you’ll participate in art activities—like group drawing projects or meditating to music—3 times each week. Residents can also enjoy live music performances twice a month. According to the experts at this center, “music not only works to combat feelings of anxiety and depression, but it may also help clients associate music with sobriety instead of substance abuse.”

While in Houston, you can take advantage of the warm sunshine and enjoy various outdoor activities. The city is located near the Gulf of Mexico, and residents can soak up the sun on beaches within a short driving distance of the city. Many treatment centers also have outdoor spaces where residents can walk, jog, relax, and participate in mindful activities like yoga and meditation. These activities aren’t just enjoyable; they’re also an important part of recovery. Data show that hospital gardens help reduce stress,7 which boosts the immune system and helps promote faster healing.

luna recovery pool
Residents can soak up the sun out by the pool at Laguna Recovery.

In addition to these outdoor amenities, most Houston rehabs have air-conditioned rooms that keep residents comfortable in the heat. Some treatment centers, like Luna Recovery, hold adventure outings for residents. The Right Step also offers recreational therapy. During these weekly outings, you might play basketball at a park, see a movie at the theater, or visit a local museum.

Warmth and Welcome at Houston Recovery Centers

Spending time in a new space—and outside of your usual comfort zone—may offer you some much-needed clarity. If you decide that traveling for rehab is for you, it’s important to choose a location that suits your unique preferences.

Attending a treatment center in Houston would be a great choice if you love spending time outside in warmer climates and desire a more diverse and multicultural area. The easy access to top medical professionals at TMC will ensure that you have some of the best quality care possible. Rehabs in this area allow patients to stay connected with nature, art, and culture, while still taking the time they need to heal.

View our list of different treatment centers in sunny Houston.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rehab in Houston

What sets rehabs in Houston apart from others?

Houston rehabs stand out thanks to their medical care, quality service, upscale amenities, specialized programs, and Southern hospitality.

What therapies are offered at rehabs in Houston?

Rehabs in Houston offer a diverse range of evidence-based and complementary therapies. These may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), experiential therapy, mindfulness practices, and holistic treatments, all aimed at promoting personal growth and sustainable recovery.

Do rehabs in Houston offer aftercare support?

Yes, Houston rehabs understand the importance of ongoing support after completing a treatment program. They typically provide aftercare services like alumni programs, counseling sessions, and support networks to help individuals maintain sustainable recovery.

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LGBTQ+-Affirming Rehab

As an LGBTQ+ person, it can be hard to find supportive, affirming healthcare. People in this community face unique barriers to treatment. You may struggle to find providers who are both willing and able to give you the care you need. In some cases, it can actually be dangerous to disclose certain aspects of your life to a doctor.  And even staunch allies sometimes lack cultural competency, requiring clients to do the emotional labor of describing their own identities at every appointment. When you expect the very act of getting help to be such hard work, recovery can be daunting.

Fortunately, as time goes on, more and more healthcare providers are starting to understand the needs of the LGBTQ+ population. Information is readily available in ways it hasn’t always been, and people are actively learning what it means to be respectful. And it’s not just about reading up on theory. There are a number of rehabs that cater to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ clients.

Addiction in the LGBTQ+ Community

Historically, research has shown that LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk for substance use disorders1 than other populations. A 2012 study found that “between 20 percent to 30 percent of gay and transgender people abuse substances, compared to about 9 percent of the general population.” This finding was supported by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2015, which asserted that lesbian, gay, and bisexual people were “more likely than their sexual majority counterparts to have substance use and mental health issues.”2

Addiction is a mental health issue, and queer communities often lack access to effective mental health care. Recovery is the process of healing yourself as a whole person, reintegrating different aspects of your identity, and focusing on the parts of your life that bring you joy. In order to do that, it’s important to work with healthcare providers who encourage you to be the best and most authentic version of yourself. As time goes on, providers are learning more about what it means to do that for LGBTQ+ people. Thankfully, there are a growing number of resources available for LGBTQ+ people in the process of recovery.

caron ocean drive
Caron Ocean Drive in Boca Raton, Florida has on-staff endocrinologists who work closely with transgender clients.

What Is LGBTQ+-Affirming Care?

As with any demographic, LGBTQ+ affirming care is not one-size-fits-all. Skilled healthcare providers understand that there is more to you than your gender or sexuality. However, certain types of treatment are especially important to people with these identities.

Respectful Therapy

The goal of therapy is to become your best self, not to change or “fix” who you are. Culturally competent therapists honor their clients’ identities. By helping clients define and understand their own personal values, therapists encourage them to build joyful, sustainable lives. 

It’s important to find a therapist who is willing to meet you where you are, whether or not you subscribe to dominant cultural norms. For example, the United Recovery Project offers LGBTQ+ clients “resources designed to address the unique challenges and needs of those within this community” and “a space where you can feel at home and respected.”

Medical Support for Trans Clients

When seeking any kind of medical care, trans clients may be concerned about the way prescriptions interact with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Addiction recovery adds a deeper layer to this concern, because the detox process is yet another change in body chemistry. However, it’s absolutely possible to start recovery without losing access to the prescription medication you need. 

Finding the right balance of medications can be hard, and it can take time. Some rehab facilities, like Caron Ocean Drive, have staff endocrinologists who work closely with transgender clients. These experts are there to ensure your access to gender-affirming care3 throughout the process of detox and recovery.

Body Image Therapy

Rehab isn’t just for substance addiction. Many people also attend inpatient programs for various mental health conditions, including eating disorders. For example, providers at The Emily Program Seattle aim to offer all clients a positive experience of treatment—including LGBTQ+ people.

The providers at this facility are well-trained in the nuances of gender-affirming care. According to one of their published resources, “16% of transgender individuals have been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Eating disorders in the transgender community4 may be partially attributed to the attempt to more closely match a person’s physical appearance to their gender identity. Transgender men may rely on their eating disorder to lose weight, and thus, lose feminine curves and appear more muscular. Transgender women may engage in disorder[ed] eating in an attempt to lose muscle and appear more petite.”

the emily program
The Emily Program in Seattle, Washington offers inclusive treatment for eating disorders: a common condition in the transgender community.

Chosen Family Therapy

For the LGBTQ+ community, “family” is a complex and often painful concept. Many of those in this demographic are closer to their chosen families than their families of origin. Whether your family is defined by shared DNA, experience, or values, your health has an impact on your loved ones. Because of this, family therapy can be an important part of recovery.

The providers at Caron Ocean Drive recognize both the importance and complexity of family in LGBTQ+ communities:

“Family engagement is critical to treatment success so we invite those you identify as your family of choice to take part in education that enables them to better understand substance use disorder, mental health disorders, and how to best support you in recovery as well as attend to their recovery and emotional health.“

LGBTQ+ Youth

Historically, it’s been difficult to find adequate health care for young LGBTQ+ people. At its worst, treatment was once intended to force these vulnerable clients into living inauthentic lives. Mental health care has come a long way since that time, and there’s still a long way to go. 

Thankfully, there are now many resources available that aim to support LGBTQ+ youth in the process of coming out and growing into healthy adults. Providers today are proactively creating programs to support this population. With or without support from their families of origin, LGBTQ+ youth deserve high-quality care.

In particular, the providers at Paradigm Teen Treatment recognize that “One of the most vulnerable populations among youth today are LGBTQ teens.”6 This rehab center has a special focus on family therapy. They explicitly encourage parents to accept and support young people in the process of coming out. This is not just intended to heal family dynamics, but also to connect young clients with more community resources. Providers teach that when a family can accept a teen as they are, “it helps a community to do the same.”

At any age, LGBTQ+ clients face unique stressors. Culturally competent healthcare providers recognize that recovery will not make these hardships disappear. Instead, queer-friendly rehab programs are designed to help you navigate whatever life brings your way.

paradigm teen treatment
Paradigm Teen Treatment in Malibu, California encourages family members to support and accept young people in the process of coming out.

Treating Mental Health in LGBTQ+ Communities

Certain factors put LGBTQ+ people at higher risk7 for mental health concerns. Specifically, people in this demographic may face discrimination, harassment, a lack of access to adequate healthcare, and family rejection. These external stressors can exacerbate underlying mental health conditions. When your mental health takes a hit, it can be all too easy to return to unhealthy coping mechanisms. 

With or without a diagnosed mental illness, many LGBTQ+ people experience minority stress.8 This state is the result of living under discriminatory conditions that are, according to researchers, “unique (not experienced by nonstigmatized populations), chronic (related to social and cultural structures) and socially based (social processes, institutions and structures).” Even people without severe trauma can be worn down by daily life in difficult circumstances. Minority stress is common among people who experience oppression,9 including queer and BIPOC communities. 

People who experience more severe, specific trauma are likely to develop mental health disorders. For example, LGBTQ+ youth are at higher risk for PTSD.10 Many luxury rehabs offer trauma-informed care, which is designed to respect these clients’ unique needs and boundaries. Your providers will pay careful attention to your personal history, triggers, and treatment goals. This process encourages clients to understand the relationship between their trauma and substance use. The better you understand your own emotional experience, the better equipped you’ll be to handle stress in a healthy and sustainable way. 

As prevalent as stress and trauma are among LGBTQ+ clients, no experience is universal. Many rehab facilities pride themselves on offering bespoke treatment, tailoring the program to suit each individual client. If you have a specific mental health concern, it may be helpful to find a program that offers treatment for co-occurring disorders. Remember: there are as many ways to heal as there are people in recovery. You have the right to find a rehab program that honors every aspect of your health and your identity.

Take Pride in the Healing Process

Navigating the healthcare system can be hard for anyone, and even harder for queer folks. Members of minority populations are often taught that asking for help means admitting your lifestyle is problematic, and that’s simply untrue. LGBTQ-affirming care is designed to honor and support you, just as you are. In the right rehab program, you can learn to let go of unhealthy behaviors, while still celebrating your authentic self.

To find a program that suits your unique needs, you can connect directly with a rehab facility that offers LGBTQ+-affirming care.

Frequently Asked Questions About LGBTQ-Affirming Rehab

What is LGBTQ+-affirming rehab?

LGBTQ+ affirming rehab is a type of rehab program designed specifically for people in the LGBTQ+ community. These programs aim to create a safe therapeutic environment where people can explore their issues without fear of retraumatization.

Why is LGBTQ+-affirming rehab important?

Members of the LGBTQ+ community face unique challenges when seeking treatment for addiction or mental health issues. These can include discrimination, lack of understanding, and lack of access to appropriate resources. Affirming rehab programs provide safe, supportive spaces where people can receive the care they deserve.

How do LGBTQ+-affirming rehab programs differ from traditional rehab programs?

LGBTQ+-affirming rehabs may take a trauma-informed approach to treatment that assumes a history of identity-based trauma. They may also offer LGBTQ+-only housing, groups, or entire programs. The goal of LGBTQ+-only spaces and LGBTQ-focused care is to allow LGBTQ+ clients to engage in therapy without the self-censoring that would stall progress in a mainstream treatment setting.

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Florida Rehab Has Something for Everyone

There is no one right way to heal. When you choose a rehab center, you’re not just choosing a place: you’re also choosing your treatment environment, who you’ll be around, and which therapeutic modalities you’ll have access to. This can be an empowering decision that sets you up for success as you move forward in your recovery journey. 

If you’re interested in recreation therapy—such as psychodrama, arts and crafts, or horseback riding—a facility in Florida might be the right fit for you. Several Florida rehab centers also specialize in treating the underlying circumstances that contribute to addiction. For example, some of these programs cater to high-powered professionals, older adults, people with co-occurring mental health diagnoses, or those with chronic physical pain. Some programs also offer gender-specific treatment, with different groups for men and women. And clients of many demographics are offered specialized care designed to help with their specific concerns. 

Recovery by the Sea

Florida’s beautiful climate can have a powerful impact on your health. Visitors can relax on the state’s world-famous beaches, or engage in more active pursuits like scuba diving, paddle boarding, or wave running. Local culture places a great focus on physical health and enjoyment of the outdoors—but this isn’t just for athletes. The state’s temperate weather is also a big draw for families and older adults seeking a gentler experience. 

Many of Florida’s rehab centers offer direct access to the coast. Some of them are located close to the water, and others invite residents to go on beach excursions. While these spaces are protected from the hustle and bustle of major cities, they’re not necessarily completely isolated in remote locations. Guests at treatment centers in this area have the time to enjoy nature and adjust to a new pace of life while engaging in the physical activities that suit them best. 

In this diverse area, there’s a great emphasis on respecting each client’s unique needs. If you choose to attend a luxury rehab here, there’s a good chance you’ll work closely with your clinical team to design a personalized treatment plan.

futures recovery healthcare
Futures Recovery Healthcare in Tequesta, Florida

Treatment Tailored to Each Client’s Background

Florida has long been a destination for people from all walks of life, from college students to retirees. And like the state itself, the rehab facilities in Florida offer specific opportunities to several different populations. This is an excellent place to connect with other people in recovery who can easily relate to your own life experience. 

Recovery for Older Adults

Older adults in recovery have a unique set of priorities and needs. Some Florida facilities, such as The Hanley Center at Origins, specialize in offering care to this community. When you begin recovery later in life, it’s especially important to form connections with people you can relate to. The emphasis on group therapy empowers clients to learn together and share the wisdom they’ve cultivated over time. To that end, this addiction treatment program for older adults encourages “patients to feel a human connection, share experiences, and polish their interpersonal skills… We strive to create a close-knit community of peers so that our patients feel safe, welcomed, and comfortable.”

Physical fitness can also play a role in recovery. While there is a well-understood link between physical and mental wellness for people of all ages, older adults often have unique health considerations. For example, the medical treatment of chronic pain can easily lead to opioid addiction.1 Recovering from that addiction is important, but the underlying cause remains an issue. The Hanley Center helps older clients learn to manage their physical health without engaging in destructive behavior. To that end, you may develop skills that support healthy medication management, nutrition, and exercise.

Gender-Specific Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

Rehab is, by nature, an insulated setting. Some guests may want to take this a step further, and only be among people of their own gender. Florida has many options for gender-specific treatment. If you choose this type of environment, you’ll join a cohort of all women or all men, and heal alongside people who understand the pressures that come along with your identity. 

The Hanley Center’s program for women offers a deep and compassionate understanding of the unique stigmas and traumas they often face. Specifically, “women are more likely to experience discrimination based on their physical appearance and more likely to function as single parents. Likewise, women are also more likely to be victims of abuse or assault, and they receive diagnoses of depression and anxiety at higher rates than men…[and] many of these issues can exacerbate substance use. Body image disorders, trauma, and co-occurring mental health disorders are all risk factors for addiction that we see among the women seeking treatment.” By taking these circumstances into account, the facility offers women space to heal in a protected community. 

Men in recovery face a different set of concerns. The pressures men face in their respective cultures often isolates them from the support they need. In particular, the simple act of asking for help often carries a stigma. Without a strong support network, it’s all too easy to resort to unsustainable means of emotion regulation. In the men’s group at the Hanley Center, expert professionals “address deeply rooted issues and clear a path to emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness.” Men are invited to seek support not only from these professionals, but also from each other. Learning how to ask for and accept community care, they learn to navigate life’s challenges. 

beachway therapy center
Beachway Therapy Center in West Palm Beach, Florida

LGBTQ+ Affirming Programs

LGBTQ+ clients often struggle to find competent care, especially for mental health concerns and substance use. It can be difficult to find healthcare providers who understand how to affirm your experience, allying with you to address your concerns without pathologizing your identity. The LGBTQ+ community faces higher rates of mental health disorders2 due to minority stress. Yet many people struggle to access the support they need and deserve. 

Caron Ocean Drive, a rehab center in Boca Raton, Florida, offers LGBTQ+ affirming services. In all of their programs, this facility focuses on treating each client as a whole person. And in their efforts to support LGBTQ+ clients, they offer individual and group therapy and access to community events through their partnerships with organizations such as the PRIDE Center in Fort Lauderdale and Lambda North in Delray Beach. These opportunities actively work against the isolation that so many LGBTQ+ people face in their daily lives. 

People with these identities face not only social stigma, but also unique concerns related to physical and mental health. With that in mind, Caron Ocean Drive offers collaborative therapy that’s open to a client’s family of origin and/or chosen family. Transgender clients also have the opportunity to work with endocrinologists to ensure that they have a plan for ongoing gender-affirming medical care during and after the transitions that take place in rehab.  

Discrete Care for High-Powered Clients

Certain clients require a high level of discretion and flexibility. Florida has a number of programs that cater to extremely successful clients, including CEOs and those with public personas. These lifestyles can be very demanding, and the pressure to maintain an appearance may make it difficult to find the care you need.

Orenda, a program at Futures Recovery, is designed to support high-achieving clients. This process is supported by a staff of medical professionals and hospitality experts. Orenda’s highly personalized program gives you access to innovative medical techniques, from neurorestorative care to hypnotherapy. Athletes continue their physical training in conjunction with therapy and the amenities of rehab. Programs like this one encourage guests to learn more about their own needs, and to meet them in creative ways.

tikvah lake
Tikvah Lake Recovery in Sebring, Florida

Adventure Therapy

In the effort to support each client’s individualized care plan, many Florida rehabs offer adventure therapy. Most of these programs are meant for small groups, and allow participants to explore social dynamics in a safe and structured way. Some outings are only offered to those in outpatient treatment, but certain residential programs have a special focus on these experiences. 

Rise, at Futures Recovery, is one of these adventure-based programs. After completing detox, residents can choose to go fishing, paddle boarding, scuba diving, wave running, and more. These physical activities provide a number of benefits for people in recovery. First, they have a positive impact on physical health, which can aid in the biological process of healing. Experts have also found a link between physical activity and improved executive function.3 Any group activity is also an opportunity to have fun, bond with program peers, and create positive memories.

Traveling to Florida

Florida is easily accessible by plane, with four major airports servicing the state. New clients are discouraged from driving themselves to rehab. Most rehabs will help you plan travel logistics, even offering transport to and from your flight. Because of the temperate climate, it’s easy to reach these facilities at any time of year. 

If you’re coming from the Midwest or the East Coast, Florida is one of the most accessible warm-weather locations in the U.S. Many programs in this area offer both residential and outpatient treatment. These choices may be especially appealing to Florida residents, or to those who want to stay on in the state for a longer period of time. 

Freedom to Define Health for Yourself

Your time in rehab—anywhere in the world—is a chance to step away from the stresses of daily life, and instead focus on your own needs. Florida’s climate is a good fit for people who want to heal both physically and emotionally. This is an opportunity to decide what you need to feel healthy. 

Florida centers are best for people who want to get personalized care. This is a place to connect with a cohort of people who are likely to understand your experience of the world. And those connections can be a valuable source of insight as you discover what recovery means to you. 

For more information on available programs, see our collection of rehabs in Florida here. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Rehab in Florida

What are the benefits of rehab in Florida?

Florida rehabs offer tailored treatment for diverse client groups, a full spectrum of care, and adventure programs where clients can go fishing, paddle boarding, scuba diving, wave running, and more. 

What are the costs of rehab in Florida?

The average cost of inpatient rehab in Florida is $30,000 per month; the average cost of PHP is $15,000 per month; and the average cost of IOP is $10,000 per month. In general, inpatient rehab is the most expensive type of rehab, followed by PHP, IOP, and outpatient rehab.

How do I find a rehab center in Florida?

To find a rehab, you can start by asking your doctor, therapist, or a trusted friend or family member for a referral. You can also search online using an unbiased platform or SAMSHA’s treatment finder. When choosing a rehab, it’s important to consider your individual needs and preferences. Ask about the treatment options offered, the cost of treatment, and the success rate of the program.