Customized Care in Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment

If you follow the scientific method, you collect the evidence that exists — you gather and inspect data — and test your hypothesis. Compare this to wild assertions, based on nothing but emotion.

Nowhere is the analysis of information more urgent, and nowhere is the use of this material more revealing, than in the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction.

I prefer, therefore, to proceed in reverse order by stating my conclusion first.

Not every addiction requires the same treatment, and not every patient with the same addiction will recover by receiving the same treatment. Customized care means that the director of a credible drug treatment facility — and by “credible,” I refer not only to the longevity of an expert’s career, but the success rates and specialized approach an expert applies on behalf of each patient — will recognize the following:

There are different addictions that are more or less prevalent in specific communities, for reasons of economics, race, gender and sexual orientation, which demand our immediate attention.

Take, for instance, addiction among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), members of this community are, in comparison to heterosexuals, more likely to use alcohol and drugs, have higher rates of substance abuse, are less likely to abstain from alcohol and drug use, and are more likely to continue heavy drinking longer.

Of equal concern is the prevalence of addiction to methamphetamine, or crystal meth, which, based on this piece of reportage (“The Beast in the Bathhouse; Crystal Meth Use by Gay Men Threatens to Reignite an Epidemic”) from the New York Times from January 12, 2004 — a prescient warning from the past — is much worse today.

The past is, indeed, prologue when you review statistics about meth addiction from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Their study, conducted during the same year in which the piece in the Times ran, finds that:

• An estimated 12 million persons aged 12 and older (4.9 percent of US persons aged 12 or older) had used methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime.
• 1.4 million persons aged 12 or older (0.6 percent of the U.S. population) had used methamphetamine during the past year.
• 600,000 (0.2 percent of the U.S. population) had used it during the past month.

Among a survey of urban, young men who have sex with men (MSM), included with the SAMHSA study, 20 percent of the participants reported having used methamphetamine during the past 6 months.

As a scientist, these statistics — and many others from both the CDC and the Center for American Progress (“Why the Gay and Transgender Population Experiences Higher Rates of Substance Use”) — confirm that the type and frequency of addiction varies within particular communities.

In turn, my natural inclination is to understand how to treat this addiction (or series of addictions) for the good of LGBT patients nationwide.

According to Manny Rodriguez, founder and executive director of La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center:

“The numbers [about addiction among LGBT individuals] speak for themselves. If you dissect the statistics, as I have, you soon realize that there are socioeconomic factors that disproportionately affect the LGBT community. Those variables present specific challenges — and demand specialized treatment — that only certain facilities can address.”

Manny further explains that, unlike the treatment protocol for other chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, in-depth knowledge of LGBT issues makes a significant difference in patient outcomes.

He says:

“Customized care within the world of alcohol and drug addiction involves much more than a good bedside manner. If a treatment center is not conversant in the individual needs of LGBT patients, then generic approaches to addiction — treatment planning that ignores the personal dynamic between a heterosexual methamphetamine user and a gay or lesbian addict of the same drug — will have a much higher incidence of failure.”

“You need to know the interplay between the drug and the patient, or the forces between the addiction and the addict. Methamphetamine addiction in almost every case I see is accompanied with sexual experiences that are compulsive and high risk for men having sex with men. Safety in a treatment setting to process and discuss a patient’s past without fear of judgment or having to edit is a paramount in helping them develop the tools necessary for long-term recovery.”

Those words resonate with me because, to return to my formal training as a scientist, information reveals as much as it conceals. To uncover the latter, we need to ask questions — a lot of them — to get the answers patients and treatment centers want.

For the LGBT community, and for those dedicated to helping this constituency, now is the time to seize a new beginning of improved health and wellness.

Need help with substance abuse or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

feeds.huffingtonpost.com/c/35496/f/677065/s/49fa0dc0/sc/14/l/0L0Shuffingtonpost0N0Cmichael0Ed0Eshaw0Ccustomized0Ecare0Ein0Ealcoho0Ib0I81414820Bhtml0Dutm0Ihp0Iref0Fgay0Evoices0Gir0FGay0KVoices/story01.htm

Thirty years after snub, why Greg Louganis still wants to be on a box of Wheaties

Olympic diving legend Greg Louganis wants to make clear that he is not angry over having never been featured on a box of Wheaties.

And he doesn’t need for it to happen now to make his life happy or complete.

But yes, it would be nice.

‘To simply be here, living my life as my true self is rewarding enough,’ Louganis writes in a new WhoSay column. ‘However, I feel like I owe this box to my friends, family, and fans that have been cheering me on for decades. Sure, the Wheaties cover would have been cool in 1984… but after all we’ve been through, it would be even more iconic now.’

It was in 1984 that Louganis won the first two of his four career Olympic gold medals in diving – the second two would come four years later. He also won a silver medal as a 16 year old at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

While fellow Olympians like gymnast Mary Lou Retton were quickly embraced by Wheaties and other companies, Louganis was largely ignored.

‘They didn’t come out and say it, but the message was loud and clear. They knew I was rumored to be gay and homosexuality wasn’t going to fly on a wholesome Wheaties box,’ Louganis writes. ‘Ouch.’

He adds: ‘People are kind of surprised when I say that I have no hard feelings about being denied a cover. After all, it wasn’t anything personal – it was a sign of the times of Corporate America.’

People had just assumed that an Olympic icon like Louganis, widely considered the greatest diver in history, had been on the Wheaties box at some point. It wasn’t until he pointed out that he had not in his 1995 autobiography that people became aware of the slight.

‘People started showing up at signings holding Wheaties boxes with my picture glued on them,’ he writes. ‘They wanted redemption.’

Earlier this summer, one of those fans decided to do something about it.

Julie Sondgerath of Chicago, Illinois, launched a petition on Change.org urging Wheaties parent company General Mills to finally give Louganis his Wheaties box. It’s been signed by more than 37,000 people so far.

‘Many people don’t realize, or simply forget, how far we’ve come,’ Louganis writes. ‘I’m hoping that if and when my Wheaties cover happens, I can raise awareness about all of the positive work General Mills has been doing for the gay community. I want people to think, “Now, that’s a company I can get behind.”‘

The post Thirty years after snub, why Greg Louganis still wants to be on a box of Wheaties appeared first on Gay Star News.

Greg Hernandez

www.gaystarnews.com/article/thirty-years-after-snub-why-greg-louganis-still-wants-to-be-on-a-box-of-wheaties/

Amanda Simpson Sworn In As Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy

As the highest ranking openly transgender official in the Obama Administration, HRC praised the news.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/amanda-simpson-sworn-in-as-deputy-assistant-secretary-of-defense-for-operat?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Jonny Beauchamp Discusses The Inspiration For His Stonewall Character Ray/Ramona

Without a doubt the year’s most controversial queer-themed films, Stonewall, has generated heated debate well ahead of its release since the first production stills were released to the media in July. Sight unseen Roland Emmerich’s retelling of the events that took place in Greenwich Village in June 1969 that helped pave the way for the modern LGBT equality movement has angered activists who fear the historical events have been “whitewashed” of the significant efforts of drag queens and trans people of color due to the movie’s focus on a fictional protagonist Danny (played by Jeremy Irvine) who is young, white, blond and attractive. Since the backlash began, the studio has begun releasing clips to disprove the naysayers, such as this one featuring the late trans activist pioneer Marsha P. Johnson.

In the just-released behind-the-scenes featurette, we’re given more insight into some of the other characters in the film, such as Ray/Ramona (played by Jonny Beauchamp, best-known for for his trans role in the series Penny Dreadful). In an interview Beauchamp reveals that certain characters are composites of real-life folks such as Raymond Castro, “who was very much one of the Village kids” and Sylvia Rivera, “one of the first really prominent trans activists.” Beauchamp says he’s always wanted to tell Rivera’s story because “she’s infinitely special.”

Elsewhere in the video, screenwriter Jon Robin Baitz notes, perhaps referring to Irvine’s character, that “it’s exciting when ordinary people do extraordinary things.” The drama hits theaters September 25.

Check out the behind-the-scenes interviews below.

Jeremy Kinser

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/OUKlTf4p6QI/exclusive-jonny-beauchamp-discusses-the-inspiration-for-his-stonewall-character-rayramona-20150918

Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah Hilariously Recap the GOP Debate: WATCH

Newly minted Late Show host Stephen Colbert recapped Wednesday’s GOP debate with a hilarious segment poking fun at all the insults, Trump-isms, and pot talk that took place during the three hour event.

On Jeb Bush joining Vine while the debate was taking place:

“Vine of course hosts videos of only six seconds. Or slightly longer than Scott Walker was allowed to speak last night.”

On Donald Trump saying there’s “plenty of subject matter” to make fun of Rand Paul’s appearance:

“That’s a good dig by a man who looks like a microwaved circus peanut”

On Jeb Bush admitting he’s smoked marijuana:

“That explains a lot. He isn’t low energy, he’s baked.”

Watch the segment below:

New Daily Show host Trevor Noah joined Colbert later and offered his own interpretation:

Want more Stephen Colbert in your news feed? Click HERE and LIKE our page on Facebook. Select “get notifications” in pulldown menu to receive our headlines in your feed.

The post Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah Hilariously Recap the GOP Debate: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Kyler Geoffroy

Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah Hilariously Recap the GOP Debate: WATCH

Facebook Targets Gay Photographer Again for 'Concerning' Photos of Wounded Soldiers

Photographer Michael Stokes has found himself in Facebook’s crosshairs multiple times for posting pictures of wounded soldiers. Stokes has had several photos removed from his fan page and earlier this week found himself locked out of his account for posting “things that aren’t allowed.”

As The Advocate reported in January, Stokes is best known for his portraits of soldiers wounded in combat and the graceful way he highlights their beauty. While many of his subjects are amputees and no longer considered imperfect by ableist standards, Stokes brings out their humanity and inner beauty in his art. Subjects pose either entirely or nearly naked to show their scars, amputated limbs, and other war wounds.

The photo that got Stokes banned this week shows a nude veteran photographed from the side lighting a cigarette. In the email telling him he wasn’t allowed access to the site for 30 days, Facebook also said he would not be allowed to post further photos to his page because he had “repeatedly posted things that aren’t allowed.”

In July, a photo of a topless female veteran who lost both of her arms in Iraq and was diagnosed with breast cancer after returning home to the United States was the source of Facebook’s ire. The site has an exception to their nudity policy specifically meant to protect breast cancer survivors and transgender men who show breast scarring. The photo was not removed from Stokes’ page, but fans who shared the photo also felt the wrath of Facebook and were banned by the social media site.

Stokes was warned by Facebook after the photo went viral that his page had been reported because “one or more photos” violated the site’s terms of service. He removed the photo as a precaution knowing how often he had been targeted by the site.

Many users have taken up Stokes’s cause over the past year as the social media giant has repeatedly targeted the photographer. Many of the photos with which the site has taken issue have been gay-themed and did not violate any terms of service rules. Fans allege that Stokes’s photography has been flagged for their gay eroticism and provocative themes.

“I think it opposes a convention where seeing women as objects is acceptable and the assumption is that the viewer is male, and they are in a position of power,” Stokes told The Independent. “I know some men get furious if they see a man posing in a sensual way. It’s threatening to some men, not all men, to have a woman as the voyeur.”

After The Independent contacted Facebook seeking comment on why they’ve repeatedly targeted Stokes, the photo of the male veteran was reinstated. Stokes received an apology, but no explanation as to why it was removed, or reinstated. The site has refused to allow Stokes to repost other “offensive” photos even after deciding they didn’t violate the terms of service.

“This is the third time this has happened to me where a media inquiry caused them to revisit it or change their mind,” Stokes told the UK-based newspaper.

Facebook continues to refuse to say why the site has targeted Stokes, but claims someone at Facebook is investigating. “In order to treat people fairly and respond to reports quickly, it is essential that we have policies in place that our global teams can apply uniformly and easily when reviewing content,” the site’s guidelines say. “As a result, our policies can sometimes be more blunt than we would like and restrict content shared for legitimate purposes. We are always working to get better at evaluating this content and enforcing our standards.”

The Advocate reached out to Facebook for comment but at press time has not yet received a response.

You can see examples of Michael Stokes’s work on his facebook page by clicking here.

Bil Browning

www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2015/9/18/facebook-targets-gay-photographer-again-concerning-photos-wounded

The Straight Men Who Have Sex with Trans Women

Matt didn’t know it was possible for a girl to have a dick before the model pictured in his Hustler-esque mag drew seven inches. She had slipped in unannounced between the magazine’s other, more typical spreads. His stroke quickened, sticking with sweat in his Brooklyn bedroom while a worrying thought knocked in his skull: Did it mean he was gay?

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

feeds.huffingtonpost.com/c/35496/f/677065/s/49f94a39/sc/17/l/0L0Shuffingtonpost0N0C20A150C0A90C180Cstraight0Emen0Etrans0Ewomen0In0I81592760Bhtml0Dutm0Ihp0Iref0Fgay0Evoices0Gir0FGay0KVoices/story01.htm

In Step Forward, HRC Arkansas to Host Groundbreaking Equality Summit to Increase LGBT Visibility

The training will bring together pro-equality advocates from across the state, helping to bolster volunteer outreach and collaboration while empowering allies and supporters on the ground.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/in-step-forward-hrc-arkansas-to-host-groundbreaking-equality-summit-to-incr?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

PHOTOS: Hetero Guys Everywhere Are Making Out With Each Other To Spite Kim Davis

Hetero guys the whole world over are ramming their tongues down each others’ throats in an effort to stick it to Kim Davis.

#KissesForKim is a new social media movement in which straight guys make out with each other then upload the pictures and videos to social media to show Kim Davis that same-sex lovin’ is A-OK.

Related: The Majority Of Americans Across Nearly Every Demographic Think Kim Davis Is A Total Tool

The movement was started by two bros, who uploaded a video to YouTube with a message for the Notorious K.I.M.

“Dear Kim Davis, We want to let you know that  no matter what you do, love will always win,” the guys said. “What we want you to do is you’re watching this video is grab your closest friend, give him a kiss, take a photo or video, and upload it using #KissesForKim, to let Kim know that she cannot win… and that we also love her and think she’s beautiful.”

Scroll down to watch the video and to see a roundup of some of our favorite #KissesForKim images.

A photo posted by Grant Gordon (@gograntgordon) on Sep 17, 2015 at 12:13pm PDT

Here’s @KennyDeForest and I kissing to show our support for Kim Davis… or something #KissesForKim pic.twitter.com/qKElYPLn7o — Boris Khaykin (@theBorisK) September 17, 2015

A photo posted by Harvey (@barge_guy) on Sep 17, 2015 at 9:21pm PDT

#kissesforKim #queer pic.twitter.com/nqBiwkRnVU — Nomad (@thecheshiresam) September 18, 2015

A photo posted by Pierre Hehjol (@pierrehehjol) on Sep 18, 2015 at 5:12am PDT

My roommates are bananas for #kissesforkim! Spread that love! pic.twitter.com/1KEb7OIcom — Rachel Holland (@rachelope) September 18, 2015

A photo posted by The Other Stuff (@theotherstuff) on Sep 17, 2015 at 5:48pm PDT

This is a campaign I can support! Yay! #tcot #kissesforkim #KimDavis pic.twitter.com/QC4b0MZbrD — Robert Grantham (@rgrantham82) September 18, 2015

Graham Gremore

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/ldT9uGBsujo/photos-hetero-guys-everywhere-are-making-out-with-each-other-to-spite-kim-davis-20150918

TN Lawmakers File ‘Natural Marriage Defense Act’ to Void SCOTUS Ruling: VIDEO

Two Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have introduced the ‘Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act’ aimed at voiding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, and Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mt Juliet, is likely unconstitutional.

The Tennessean:

“Natural marriage between one (1) man and one (1) woman as recognized by the people of Tennessee remains the law in Tennessee, regardless of any court decision to the contrary,” the bill states.

“Any court decision purporting to strike down natural marriage, including (a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision), is unauthoritative, void, and of no effect.”

The bill was unveiled at a rally at the State Capitol in Nashville attended by a few hundred people.

RELATED: Entire Tennessee County Clerk’s Office Quits Over Same-Sex Marriage

Said Pody at the rally:

“This is a battle that we’re fighting. It’s not an earthly battle. We battle in spiritual battle. This is a prayer battle. When we win, it’s because of prayer…”

Watch a report from NewsChannel 5:

Said Beavers to The Chattanoogan:

“Natural marriage between one man and one woman as recognized by the people of this state remains the law, regardless of any court decision to the contrary. The Obergefell case is clearly and blatantly an overstep of the Supreme Court’s Authority and it is time that states, like Tennessee, stand up against the judicial tyranny of which Thomas Jefferson so eloquently warned. This legislation deems that any court decision purporting to strike down the state’s definitions of natural marriage, including Obergefell v. Hodges, is void in Tennessee.”

Added Pody:

“This decision defies constitutional authority and is one of the most glaring examples of judicial activism in U.S. Supreme Court history. It not only tramples on state’s rights, but has paved the way for an all-out assault on the religious freedoms of Christians who disagree with it.  This bill calls for Tennessee to stand against such unconstitutional action in hopes that other states will stand with us against an out-of-control court legislating from the bench.”

The Tennessean adds:

The bill says the attorney general must defend any state or local official from any lawsuit that could — and would — arise if the bill is enacted. It also says no state or local agency may enforce the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, or any other decision that might allow same-sex marriage. Officials abiding by the bill, if enacted, couldn’t be fined or arrested for ignoring the U.S. Supreme Court, the bill states.

Other lawmakers already introduced a bill to “protect” clergy members from being forced to officiate same-sex weddings. Nowhere in the Supreme Court ruling does it say pastors or preachers must officiate any wedding.

The post TN Lawmakers File ‘Natural Marriage Defense Act’ to Void SCOTUS Ruling: VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.

Andy Towle

TN Lawmakers File ‘Natural Marriage Defense Act’ to Void SCOTUS Ruling: VIDEO