Following Up on Past Programs
Why is the LGBTQIA+ community at a greater risk for Substance Use Disorder? Individuals defined as “sexual minorities” are more than twice as likely as heterosexuals to have used any illicit drug.¹
Social stigma, discrimination, and other challenges can lead to stress and treatment barriers that put this population at risk for addiction and other behavioral health challenges.
¹Medley G, Lipari R, Bose J, Cribb D, Kroutil L, McHenry G. Sexual Orientation and Estimates of Adult Substance Use and Mental Health: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. NSDUH Data Review. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/se…. Published October 2016.
Helpful Resources
The Trevor ProjectPride Institute
The Mazzoni Center
LGBTQ Groups in Philadelphia
Bucks LGBTQ Center
Coming Out: A Handbook for LGBTQ Young People
Parenting a Gender-Diverse Child: Hard Questions Answered
Gender-Diverse & Transgender Children
REFUGE Restrooms: Providing safe restroom access for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals.
Pennsylvania Society of Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Communities (PS-SAIGE)
The Flying Gender Unicorn
LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County
Eastern PA Trans Equity Project
Stand With Trans
SAGA Community Center
Philadelphia Family Pride
The Attic Youth Center
William Way LGBT Community Center
PFLAG – Family and Ally Organization.
LGBTQIA+ Glossary of Terms
Crystal Meth Anonymous
Crystal City is a documentary available on Amazon Prime. Please be advised that there are graphic scenes which could be triggering for people in recovery.
Treatment Resources
Arrive Therapy
Charlie Health
Polaris Teen Center
Visions Adolescent Treatment Center
Center for Families
Newport Academy
Ethos Treatment, LLC
Sanare Today
Caron’s LGBTQ Affirming Services Center
Inspire Better Life
Research
Substance Use Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning Adolescents in the United States, 2015xual orientation and adolescent substance use: a meta-analysis and methodological review
The Relationship Between Discrimination and Substance Use Disorders Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the United States
Sexual Orientation and Estimates of Adult Substance Use and Mental Health: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Meet the Presenters & Panelists who have spoken on our LGBTQIA+ programs.

Katie Greeley, LCSW (she/her)
Founder and Senior Prevention Consultant
Prevention Education Solutions

Lewis Johnson LPC, NCC, CCTP (he/him)
Owner & Trauma Therapist
The Lotus Center for Wellness and Healing
Following up on the June 21, 2022 Program
21% of GenZ’ers (10 to 25 year olds) identify as LGBTQIA+, indicating a positive shift in societal norms.
However, social stigma, discrimination, and other challenges still exist, and can lead to stress and treatment barriers that put this population at risk for addiction and other behavioral health challenges.
On June 21, 2022, Be a Part of the Conversation hosted a panel of treatment specialists and those with lived experience to increase our awareness and understanding, and to explore treatment options and learn how we can foster resilience and support recovery.
This program was funded by the Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services.















