LGBTQ+ Affirming Treatment of Substance Use Disorders for Faculty-LGBTQ+ Affirming Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Participant Guide.pdf

LGBTQ+ Affirming Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Participant Guide.pdf

Pdf Summary

The Participant Workbook is designed for exercises on understanding and addressing issues faced by LGBTQ individuals in relation to discrimination, substance use, and resilience. It includes reflection questions and scenarios to explore personal and professional experiences involving LGBTQ communities. The workbook begins with exercises prompting participants to reflect on personal experiences of discrimination and stress, inviting them to consider coping mechanisms and their effectiveness.<br /><br />In one scenario, Carl, a gay man, uses meth for both sexual enhancement and as a coping mechanism against mistreatment and homelessness. Participants are encouraged to discuss resilience traits and early intervention points for reducing harmful substance use. Another scenario discusses Sam, a nonbinary person who turned to heroin following a family's rejection, highlighting the impact of familial relationships on mental health and substance use.<br /><br />The workbook includes stories like Maria's, a trans woman who faced job discrimination and resorted to substance use after trauma in sex work, and Chris, a bisexual woman using substances to cope with anxiety stemming from societal and partner-based discrimination.<br /><br />The document emphasizes the importance of affirming care and support for LGBTQ individuals and prompts participants to consider how they might support people like Maria and Chris in their goals. It encourages exploring systemic issues that tie into substance use, mental health challenges, and the potential of supportive environments to foster resilience.<br /><br />In its application sections, the workbook provides questions to consider the integration of affirming practices within one's professional sphere. It offers additional resources and courses for further understanding and aid in addressing LGBTQ-specific substance use disorders and mental health concerns through an informed and compassionate approach.

Keywords

LGBTQ

discrimination

substance use

resilience

reflection questions

coping mechanisms

affirming care

mental health

supportive environments

professional development