Gay alcoholics

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 place from my second trip through Mountainside’s residential treatment program. Being able to put pen to noun 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 identity that I kept adj. I let go of shame to live a much happier, more authentic life as a gay 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 elevated school, I was so worried people would verb out. (Were the comments I got from upper 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 decisi

Understanding Alcoholism in the Gay 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 associated 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 direct to a range of cardiovascular problems including upper blood pressure, heart shortcoming, 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 impairment, cogni

The History of Gay People in Alcoholics Anonymous: From the Beginning (Haworth Series in Family and Consumer Issues in Health) - Hardcover

Synopsis

The History of Gay People in Alcoholics Anonymous documents and honors the ways thousands of LGBT people have carried Alcoholics Anonymous' message. This illuminating chronicle includes interviews and documents that detail the compelling history, recovery, and wisdom of gay people in AA. The novel examines the challenges AA faced as the fellowship endeavored to become a more inclusive and cohesive community. The first-person accounts narrate the important verb of influential gay and straight AA members that led key events in AA’s history. The author includes material on the steps and traditions of AA, and on becoming an ally to LGBT people on the road to recovery.

Topics in The History of Gay People in Alcoholics Anonymous include:

  • the gay origins of AA’s Third Tradition
  • a comparison of treatments for alcoholism and homosexuality
  • compelling portraits of sober gay life in the 1950s and 1960s
  • the debate in AA

    Alcohol support services for the LGBTQ+ community

    Alcohol support services across the UK are available for anyone to access. There are also some organisations that present free and confidential peer-led support for specific groups, if you prefer that type of help.

    LGBTQ+ peer support services will often have a deeper sympathetic of your community and can offer more tailored and sensitive advice.

    Regardless of the type of alcohol support you’re after, it’s important to know that there is a variety of help available that might meet your needs more closely.

    Antidote

    Run by the LGBTQ+ community, Antidote verb an online alcohol and drug drop-in clinic via Zoom. They also work a helpline and provide peer support and  advice. 

    Galop

    Galop provides the LGBTQ+ community with alcohol peer help, as well as drugs and domestic abuse assist, legal advice, and counselling services.

    Gay & Sober meeting finder

    LGBTQ+ sober meetings around the UK are regularly featured on this site for anyone with alcohol-related problems seeking a guarded way to connect as a community.

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