Florida Rehab Center Offers New Specialized 'Freedom Rings' Program for their LGBT Clients

(PRWEB) June 25, 2007 -- Taking the first steps toward rehabilitation can be difficult, and when you have special needs or have received prior treatment, the complications can stack up. Although "gay only" drug rehab has its benefits for some people, others are more comfortable in gay-friendly facilities __title__ Gay Friendly Rehab Centers (http://www.lakeviewfreedomrings.com/), which use quality treatment along with "real world" interaction to help in the recovery process. Lakeview Health Systems offers a new "Freedom Rings" program aimed at providing a "real-life" environment for an easy and smooth transition back to the world.

In the "Freedom Rings" program, gay and heterosexual patients are provided with addiction treatment services co-currently, while at the same time, recognizing clinical issues that are of particular importance to the GLBT population.

Patients may be exposed to the prejudices of those around them in some environments, for example, homophobia, racism, or sexism, but in a "gay-friendly" environment, the treatment staff is trained to address the clinical needs of the "gay person" and trained professionals have the experience to address prejudices and homophobic attitudes.

It has been proven that patients must feel comfortable with their surroundings in order to open up, become willing to accept treatment and participate in addiction treatment __title__ Addiction treatment Programs for Alternative Lifestyles programs, so providing a "gay-friendly" rehabilitation clinic in an area with a large gay population was a natural choice for Lakeview Health Systems, an established Florida clinic. Recovering addiction who are living http://www.lakeviewfreedomrings.com/) often face different challenges than heterosexuals, and a specialized program is necessary to tackle homophobia, prejudice and discrimination, coming out, internalized homophobia, strong feelings of shame, anger and resentment, sexual, physical or emotional distress, development of a new lifestyle and support system, risk taking behavior, sexual orientation, and more. While the environment is important, the program itself is top priority. The "Freedom Rings" program offers a variety of clinical services including: detox, drug rehab, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient addiction treatment, a family recovery program, dual diagnosis, aftercare plans, and relapse prevention.

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The "Freedom Rings" program offers recovery apartments, which were designed to assist in treatment of patients by allowing them the opportunity to transition into the "real-world." They are fully furnished two-bedroom apartments complete with kitchen, washer/dryer, and cable television. An important aspect of gay-friends drug treatment __title__ Gay Friendly Drug treatment Programs (http://www.lakeviewfreedomrings.com/) is preventing relapse and spending time in a "real-life" environment at a treatment center is a great way to help ease the life changes that the one seeking treatment will be making.

Lakeview Health Center is located in Jacksonville, Florida, on several acres of land in a tranquil setting. The Center was designed for the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism, and dual diagnosis. The fully trained and licensed staff is equipped to address special needs in a variety of respects.

The GLBT community is not the only niche demographic reached out to by Lakeview Health Systems. Lakeview Health Systems also serves Florida's diverse Hispanic population with their "Tradiciones" program.

More information on Lakeview Health System's gay-friendly facilities is available at www.lakeviewfreedomrings.com, which offers information on how to find Lakeview Health Center, travel arrangements, admissions information, a campus guide, and a frequently updated drug rehab blog.

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