http://rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org/frank Helping The GLBT Community Recover From Substance Addiction Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:47:09 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Build your own custom video playlist at embedr.com http://rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org/frank/2009/05/23/117/ Image by Swamibu via Flickr My life before the devastation of addiction and mental illness was a mix of glamorous celebrities and hard work. I was the executive editor of a major publishing company. I regularly worked with top celebrities in New York, Los Angeles and London.  ... http://rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org/frank/2009/05/23/i-believed-i-had-lost-too-much-to-ever-recover/ Image by wallyg via Flickr I entered the addictions field as a chaplain in an adolescent substance abuse unit. When I first conducted 4th and 5th Steps I made the mistake of assuming Roman Catholic patients had an advantage of understanding how the 5th Step worked. After all, they were familiar with ... http://rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org/frank/2009/05/23/healing-from-spiritual-abuse-assisting-gay-and-lesbian-clients/ Image via Wikipedia Joseph M. Amico, M.Div., C.A.S. Gays experience something like a second adolescence as part o f the coming out process. During that time, behavior could be confused with sexually compulsive behavior. Gays also experience shame due to heterosexism. Coping mechanisms for shame can include the use of mood altering substances as well as ... http://rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org/frank/2009/05/23/assessing-sexual-compulsivity-addiction-in-chemically-dependent-gay-men/ Image via Wikipedia Ninety days can be thought of as a relatively brief span of time or an eternity.  Of course, perspective factors in all things and as a man who has been actively addicted to crystal meth for the good part of eight years (or shall I say an eternity? ... http://rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org/frank/2009/05/21/written-on-my-90th-day-clean-and-sober-by-donald-b/ [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Image by rezavoody via Flickr"][/caption] Of coarse, treatment professionals always do a good job of helping GLBT clients be honest about who they are, right?  Well, not always.  In fact, some clients have reported that their counselors actually told them not to disclose their sexual orientation in ... http://rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org/frank/2009/05/20/when-counselors-perpetuate-secret-keeping/ Image by -Marlith- via Flickr Discrimination against GLBT's traditionally has been referred to as homophobia.  This generally is defined as an irrational fear or dread of homosexuals.  However, in recent years homoseuality has begun to be associated more negatively, sometimes sparking violent feelings and behaviors on the part ... http://rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org/frank/2009/05/20/cultural-victimization/ Only 1% of clients in mainstream programs identify themselves as being gay / lesbian / bisexual / transgender (GLBT) people (Hellman et al., 1989).  What is the reason for this discrepancy?  There are several Possibilities.  For one, many GLBT clients are not comfortable sharing their sexual orientation with anyone else. ... http://rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org/frank/2009/05/20/the-need-for-gay-specific-treatment/ Franks House / Rainbow Bridge Community Services is a residential treatment facility located in Los Angeles, Ca that provides specialized services and support to help the gay community achieve long term sobriety. Franks House is the nation's only Gay owned and operated alcohol, drug and mental health program whose leadership has ... http://rainbowbridgecommunityservices.org/frank/2009/03/27/hello-world/