Gay alcohol
My Journey as a Gay Man in Recovery
“I accept myself as a 43-year-old gay alcoholic male in recovery.” I wrote that sentence in August of 2019, roughly a month after coming abode from my second trip through Mountainside’s residential treatment program. Being able to put pen to sheet and write those words together, in one sentence, represents a long journey of hard work and support to not only accept but embrace two parts of my persona that I kept concealed. I let go of shame to live a much happier, more real life as a lgbtq+ man in recovery.
Growing Up in the Closet
Like many people who identify as LGBTQIA+, I knew I was gay long before I ever came out to anyone, and coming out of the closet wasn’t an option. Growing up, particularly in lofty school, I was so worried people would uncover out. (Were the comments I got from sky-high school jocks because they actually knew I was gay or because that was their lazy bullying tactic—harassing anyone who was smart, skinny, and completely uncoordinated?)
I tried to convince myself I wasn’t really gay, and I lived life and based decisions on what I wanted to project into the world rather than who I really was. I used humor to deflect
Understanding Alcoholism in the Male lover Community
The Health Impact of Alcoholism
Alcoholism, while often seen through the lens of its social implications, has profound effects on both physical and mental health. Long-term heavy drinking can cause or contribute to an array of health problems, creating a significant burden on an individual’s well-being.
Physical Consequences
Liver Disease: One of the most common health issues linked with alcoholism is liver disease. Alcohol is processed in the liver, and over time, excessive drinking can lead to alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and even cirrhosis—a severe, life-threatening condition.
Heart Problems: The heart isn’t immune to the effects of alcohol either. Chronic heavy drinking can guide to a range of cardiovascular problems including elevated blood pressure, heart blunder, and stroke.
Neurological Damage: Alcohol affects the brain in more ways than simply causing a temporary feeling of euphoria or relaxation. Over time, heavy drinking can lead to neurological damage, resulting in issues such as memory decrease, cognitive deficits, and even an increased risk of dementia.
Immune System: Our immune system is our bo
How/When Did You Know You Were Gay....How Did Alcohol Play a Part?
Not to be too flip about the OP's question, but:
How/when did you realize that you were straight...How did alcohol play a part?
Whenever I get asked the "How/when did you know...?" question, I'm always a little confused, because I always felt that my awareness of my sexuality developed more or less along with my peers' awareness of their control sexualities. So, in a way, I grew into my homosexuality in the same way most of my peers grew into their heterosexuality. Now, I also had some anxiety over not wanting to be any more unlike that I already felt that I was, which came from the truth that I was bullied from a very earlier age, but, looking endorse on it, I execute have a little trouble determining how much of my not wanting to be different really stemmed from shame over my sexuality.
Anyway, I drank in college mainly to fit in insofar as it was what most people whom I chose to hang out with did. I was rarely actively pressured to guzzle nor did I necessarily feel that I was actively trying to cover up sadness or depression with alcohol.
So I guess the short acknowledge to the OP's doubt
LGBTQ+ People and Alcohol
- An estimated 1.4 million people over the age of 16 in the UK identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) in 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics.
- Patterns in alcohol use vary among different orientations and gender identities, but overall there is a higher prevalence of hazardous drinking among the LGBTQ+ population compared to the general population, particularly among women.
- Most explore about alcohol harm focuses on sexual health outcomes among gay and bi-curious men, and has focused on the relationships between alcohol use and sexual health and HIV. Homosexual people experience around double the odds of alcohol dependence compared to the general population, and also experience a higher prevalence of mental illnesses that can co-occur with alcohol use.
- 3 percent of people in alcohol treatment identified as gay or female homosexual in 2019-2020. Significant barriers to receiving healthcare live for LGBTQ+ people.
- There are many gaps in truth around LGBTQ+ people and alcohol. Surveys and studies should present a greater variety of intersectional information on protected characteristics. More research is needed to represent LGBTQ+ women and tra
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