Dealing with Gender Issues and Addiction

Many people struggle with gender identity and sexuality. These confusing and stressful issues can lead to depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns. A person may self-medicate gender issue concerns or related mental health issues with drugs or alcohol. If you or someone you love is struggling with gender identity and addiction, help is available.

Understanding Gender Identity Terms Is a First Step to Feeling Better

Many people are confused by terms like “transgender,” “transsexual” and “genderqueer.” Confusion on these issues can contribute to lack of communication, lack of understanding and greater anxiety. If someone you love is struggling with his or her sexuality, take a moment to understand the following gender identity facts:

• Sexual orientation and gender identity are two different things. A person’s sexual orientation may be straight, gay, bisexual or none of the above. Sexual orientation indicates a person’s overall attraction to other people. Gender identity involves a person’s sense of being primarily female or male.
• If a person identifies as male and is attracted to women, that person is considered heterosexual, even if that person was assigned female by medical staff at birth. Sexual orientation is in some ways defined by the individual person. Every person has the right to describe his or herself.
• A person who is transgender usually feels some level of discomfort in his or her assigned gender. Transgender persons may desire to be, dress as, undergo surgery to be or identify with the opposite sex. Transgender people may be gay, straight or not interested in romantic relationships.
• Transsexual people are transgender persons who have undergone surgery or hormone replacement to alter body chemistry in order to more closely physically resemble the opposite sex.
• A transvestite is a person who dresses as the opposite sex. Some people find the term “transvestite” offensive. It is always important to ask each individual person how he or she chooses to be identified.
• “Genderqueer” includes all people who don’t necessarily fit society’s ideas of male or female. Genderqueer persons may be perceived as female some days, male on other days or neither. Genderqueer persons generally do not fit any existing definition of gender. “Genderqueer” can also apply to people who identify as androgynous.

With so many types of gender identity, it is no wonder that people who struggle with gender identity also tend to experience higher levels of depression, anxiety and family conflict. These issues may lead a person to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, and substance use can quickly become addiction.

GLBT Friendly Rehabilitation Programs

If you have experienced gender issues and addiction, consider seeking treatment that accepts you as you are. GLBT friendly rehab does exist. If you need rehab care, you owe it to yourself to choose a rehab program that accepts you for who you are and offers the assistance that experienced specialty therapists can provide. GLBT friendly rehab doesn’t seek to change who you are as a person. It helps you recover from addiction and trauma so that you can be the best you possible.

Help for Those Struggling with Gender Issues and Addiction

If you are struggling with gender issues and addiction, call our toll-free helpline. We are here 24 hours a day, and we help people connect to treatment programs every day. We can help you find reliable licensed detox, drug rehab, wellness and mental health support. Our programs also offer family counseling, family support, inpatient rehab, outpatient counseling and more. We can even help you arrange insurance coverage for your addiction treatment. Please call now, and find out how we can help you or a loved one.