Sadly, and for a number of reasons, gays and lesbians suffer disproportionately high levels of substance abuse and addiction within their communities. Not long ago gays had few options when looking for a drug rehab that would meet their needs with sensitivity and respect, and fortunately, that has since changed. Gay and lesbian alcoholics and addicts can now choose to recover with in a gay and lesbian exclusive rehab, or in a general rehab that demonstrates a sensitivity and awareness to the issues of the gay and lesbian communities.
So which is better, gay only or mixed drug rehab?
Research on the issue has shown that gay and lesbian addicts do just about as well in either, providing that their concerns are addressed and issues of sexuality
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Any rehab under consideration needs to espouse an awareness of the unique challenges facing gays and lesbians in recovery, and also maintain a fervent atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance, not only from the staff, but also from all addicts participating in shared recovery.
Group therapy
A universal in recovery programs, group therapy can give a lot of insight and hope to addicts during the month of rehab; but for group therapy to really work, all have to participate honestly, and without holding back out of embarrassment or shyness.
This is essentially the deciding point over what type of rehab is right for you. If you are comfortable sharing openly your history, your challenges and your feelings in a group of mixed sexuality addicts in recovery, then you may benefit equally in a gay specific rehab, or in a tolerant mixed sexuality rehab.
If you cannot imagine open and honest admissions in a mixed sexuality peer recovery group, then you cannot hope to benefit equally outside of a gay specific rehab, and for you, gay only rehab is the far preferable place to recover. It's a new luxury to even have the choice, and you need to make a decision based on your personal comfort levels, and on what's most likely to give you the tools you'll need to stay