Inviting the Significant Other of LGBT Clients into Substance Abuse Treatment Programs: Frequency and Impact

Abstract

In the New York Metropolitan area, convenience samples of 194 LGBT and 107 heterosexual former clients of substance abuse programs were compared in regard to rate of invitation of their significant others into treatment for at least one session. No significant differences between sexual orientation groups were found. For LGBT respondents, inviting significant others into treatment resulted in improved program completion rates, greater satisfaction with treatment, enhanced feelings of counselor support, and higher abstinence rates at the end of treatment. For women, not having a significant other predicted higher abstinence rates at the end of treatment.

Sexual-Minority Women and Alcohol: Intersections Between Drinking, Relational Contexts, Stress, and Coping

“…These findings are consistent with other studies that found support from family members (Padilla, Crisp, & Rew, 2010) and sexual minority peers (Doty, Willoughby, Lindahl, & Malik, 2010) are important factors in promoting positive outcomes among sexual minorities. Furthermore, our study suggested that relationships with partners was an important source of both stress and support, which is consistent with other research such as a recent study suggesting that inclusion of partners of sexual minority individuals in substance abuse treatment programs may improve success and completion rates (Senreich, 2010). Overall, our findings affirm the importance of advancing future research related to reducing familial rejection, enhancing access to additional social supports such as “chosen family,” and exploring other relational factors that may help cope with minority stress.…”

Alcohol‐Focused Behavioral Couple Therapy

“…To date, there is a paucity of research testing the efficacy of BCT for gay and lesbian couples. A single study assessing the utility of inviting the SO of LGBT clients to attend at least one substance abuse treatment session found an association between partner attendance and higher abstinence rates, greater treatment satisfaction, and increased program completion (Senreich, ).…”

The role of perceptions of partner's alcohol use in heavy alcohol use and alcohol reduction intervention preferences among LGBQ adults in primary, romantic relationships

“…Despite calls to examine the effectiveness of BCT among LGBQ couples (McCrady, Wilson, Munoz, Fink, Fokas, & Borders, 2016), there has been a paucity of research in this area. One study found that including a significant other of LGBT clients to attend at least one substance use treatment session was associated with greater abstinence rates, treatment satisfaction, and increased program completion (Senreich, 2010). However, to our knowledge, there are no couples-based alcohol interventions developed for LGBQ communities or account for the unique needs of couples’ who may be concordant in their alcohol use.…”