This Pride Month, Mountainside Hosts Online “Live Out Loud and Proud” Event

Published on June 4, 2021
Mountainside Canaan Aerial Shot

Canaan, CT – Every Monday evening at 7:00 PM EST, Mountainside Treatment Center hosts free virtual LGBTQ Recovery Support Groups for members of the LGBTQ community who struggle with substance use disorders (SUDs). To commemorate Pride Month, Mountainside will present a free online event open to the community on Monday, June 28th, which will include a virtual dance party followed by a support meeting hosted by addiction professionals.

The Live Out Loud and Proud event will feature Fitness and Wellness Expert Leandro Carvalho leading participants in a high-energy cardio dance. Participants will also be encouraged to dress up for the occasion, and a prize will be awarded to the person with the most festive outfit. The online event will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and will be hosted via Microsoft Teams.

The event will emphasize sober fun, self-care, and connections, which are each important in general, but especially for LGBTQ individuals in recovery. Members of the LGBTQ community often face increased stressors – including stigma, isolation, and low self-esteem – that can lead to substance use and even addiction.

A study in Transgender Health found that 10 percent of transgender individuals struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, compared to 2.6 percent of the general population. Similarly, SAMSHA’s 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 18.3 percent of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans over the age of 18 struggled with a SUD within the past year. Of those with SUDs, a staggering 86.4 percent did not receive treatment. Additionally, 47.4 percent of LGB adults had battled mental health disorders, and 12.9 percent said they had substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues.

As with the general population, LGBTQ individuals in recovery benefit most from personalized addiction treatment tailored to their specific needs. Opportunities for wellness and fellowship are likewise essential, helping LGBTQ community members foster a deeper sense of pride and belonging to lay the groundwork for lifelong healing.

To access Mountainside’s weekly, virtual LGBTQ Recovery Support Groups, visit: https://mountainside.com/support-groups/lgbtq-recovery-support-group/