There is a documented increase incidence of addiction in the GLBT community.

Statistics from National Institute of Health and Center for Disease Control indicate the following:
 

Some use these figures to assert that GLBT's are morally defective, less than or depraved. It is however the ongoing effects of struggling against the tide of heterosexism that predisposes the GLBT to mental illness and/or addiction.

Realistically, it is the years of self imposed exile and feeling of shame and guilt that erode at self esteem and ego integrity leading to the onset of adjustment disorders and subsequently to depressions.

Repeated incidences of homophobia also predispose GLBT's to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorders) and Depression.  Many main stream program have in the past and continue to discourage the GLBT from relating experiences in their lives to their addiction or illness. When information related to relationships or sexuality arise, the client is told "we don't discuss that here." "you'll have to talk about that somewhere else." This is not consistent with the framework of recovery;
HOW it works (Honest Open Willing).

At Pride Institute Florida, we not only encourage the discussion of issues related to sexuality and addiction, we welcome it. Twelve Step programming tells us "we are as sick as our secrets." There are no secrets at Pride Institute.

WHY DO WE NEED A PRIDE PROGRAM? THE CONDITIONS OF HETEROSEXISM AND ONGOING PROBLEMS OF HOMOPHOBIA CREATE THE NEED FOR A SPECIALIZED PROGRAM FOR THE COMMUNITY.
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HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT PREDISPOSE THE GLBT TO ILLNESS:

• Secret Society that was Illegal and a diagnosable Mental Illness

• Early Socialization in "speak easy" type bars

• HIV/AIDS

WHAT MAKES THE PRIDE INSTITUTE DIFFERENT?
TREATMENT IS PROVIDED IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS AND AFFIRMS THE COMMUNITY OF ORIGIN.

SPECIALIZED DIDACTIC GROUPS ARE PROVIDED THAT FOCUS ON HETEROSEXISM, HOMOPHOBIA, HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY AND RESOURCES FOR CLEAN, SOBER HEALTHY LIVING. THESE OFFERINGS EMPOWER THE PATIENT BY DISPELLING MYTHS AND INCREASE SELF ESTEEM.