ACCEPTING OURSELVES AND OTHERS:

A JOURNEY INTO RECOVERY FROM ADDICTIVE AND COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR FOR GAYS, LESBIANS, AND BISEXUALS Research indicates that one person in ten suffers from some form of chemical dependency in the U.S. In the gay and lesbian community this ratio leaps to as high as one in three. With all the 12-Step programs, education and treatment for chemical dependency that has developed over the last 15 years, why is this rate so high? "Unfortunately, in the gay and lesbian community, there is frequently a general lack of support for the individual in recovery," says Dr. Sheppard Kominars, an author and educator based in San Francisco. "Even in cities where there are active 12-Step groups, there is a prevailing reluctance on the part of other gays and lesbians to acknowledge the extent of compulsive/dependent behavior in our community."

Why the lack of support? Dr. Kominars, along with his daughter, co-author Dr. Kathryn Kominars, offers surprising insights into the problem in a new book, ACCEPTING OURSELVES & OTHERS: A Journey Into Recovery from Addictive and Compulsive Behavior for Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals (Hazelden, November 1996; ISBN: 1-56838-120-4; 365 pages, $18.95). Much of the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse among sexual minorities can be linked to internal and external homophobia, say the Kominars. Studies have shown that a majority of therapists still have little basic information about sexual minorities even though homosexuals are two to four times more likely than heterosexuals to seek counseling. "To compound the problem, gays, lesbians and bisexuals have their own internalized homophobia that they've inherited from the culture," say the authors. "This makes it difficult to deal honestly with issues like sexuality and self-acceptance in recovery."

Many issues complicate recovery for sexual minorities who seek help for addictive/compulsive behavior. In ACCEPTING OURSELVES & OTHERS, the authors address such issues affecting the gay and lesbian community as:

The impact of internalized homophobia on recovery.

The relationship of HIV disease and AIDS on recovering sexual minorities.

A bisexual population that is not acknowledged and is discriminated against by both the non-gay and gay/lesbian communities.

The difficulty of giving up the bar scene, which is often the focus of social life for singles.

An analysis of the frequent phenomenon of switching from alcohol or drugs to compulsive sex.

An analysis of alternative models of addictive/compulsive behavior

The difficulty of accepting 12-Step concepts like a "higher power" or God because of a history of being blacklisted or disowned by many of the world's major religions.

The limitations of 12-Step Programs in healing deep psychological trauma.

The efforts gays, lesbians and bisexuals need to make in order to secure the kind of individual help necessary for recovery.

Practical advice for gay, lesbian, and non-gay therapists about meeting the needs of minority clients.

Extensive reference material gathered from many sources to assist both clients and professionals in further exploring the complex process of gay, lesbian and bisexual recovery.
ACCEPTING OURSELVES & OTHERS provides up-to-date information on abstinence, relapse, and homophobia, along with workbook sections for each of the 12 Steps. Six chapters provide important information to assist psychotherapists, clergy, and all helping-professionals who work with gay, lesbian and bisexual clients on recovery issues.
This book offers valuable insights to everyone about the relationship between addictive/compulsive behavior and being a sexual minority both within and outside traditional 12-Step models. For those who live in urban centers, where specifically identified 12-Step programs are available, this book provides additional resources to encourage the recovery process. For those outside urban centers, who may remain painfully alone and closeted, this second edition (ACCEPTING OURSELVES, 1st edition, Harper, 1989), provides understanding and encouragement in times of stress. ACCEPTING OURSELVES & OTHERS provides a road-map for those in the gay and lesbian community, and for bisexuals, searching to understand themselves and to find a way out of addictive/compulsive behavior through long-term recovery.
Arrange media interviews or speaking engagements with the authors, or send comments about the book: GDSHEPPARD@AOL.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Sheppard B. Kominars, Ph.D. provides workshops on addictive/compulsive behavior, homophobia, and creativity all over the U.S.
Kathryn Kominars, Ph.D. is at the Counseling Center, Florida International University, Miami, Florida.
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Last modified Jul 14 2006