Substance Use, Alcohol, and Chemsex Treatment
Personalized Addiction Treatment for LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Denver, CO
Struggling with substance use, alcohol, or chemsex? You’re not alone, and support is here. Chroma Wellness Center provides expert, affirming outpatient LGBTQIA+ substance use treatment designed to meet your needs. Whether your goal is sobriety or harm reduction, we offer confidential treatment plans to help you feel better, reclaim control, and build a healthier future.
Understanding Substance Use in the LGBTQIA+ Community
Substance use, including alcohol, methamphetamine, and chemsex-related behaviors, impacts people from all walks of life. But for LGBTQIA+ individuals, these challenges often carry deeper roots: identity-based trauma, rejection, systemic discrimination, and cultural norms that blur boundaries between connection and coping.
According to SAMHSA, LGBTQIA+ adults are nearly twice as likely to use illicit substances compared to heterosexual adults (2020). These trends are not about poor choices, they’re about survival, self-regulation, and complex psychosocial environments.
Chemsex, using substances like meth, GHB, or mephedrone to enhance sex, can become part of a cycle driven by shame, dissociation, and isolation. Many clients seeking chemsex addiction treatment come to us feeling overwhelmed or stuck. You don’t need a diagnosis or a perfect plan, you just need a safe place to start. That’s what we offer.
At Chroma Wellness, we meet every client with compassion, clarity, and clinical expertise.
“In my clinical tenure working with queer and trans clients, I’ve seen how substance use, especially around sex, can become a way to manage trauma, loneliness, or shame. That’s why our approach is never punitive, it’s relational.”
Signs of Substance Use Issues
- Frequent or escalating use of drugs or alcohol
- Difficulty managing use or cutting back
- Using to cope with stress, dysphoria, or trauma
- Risky or unwanted sexual behavior connected to use
- Sleep disruption, low motivation, or isolation
These signs are not a moral failing, they’re indicators that something deeper needs support. And we can help.
Treatment that Honors Who You Are
Chroma is more than LGBTQIA+ inclusive, we’re built by and for the community. Our clinicians provide trauma-informed, identity-affirming care and understand how substance use connects with mental health, stigma, and survival strategies. Whether you’re exploring abstinence, harm reduction, or just starting to ask questions, our approach is collaborative and non-judgmental. We provide LGBTQ addiction recovery rooted in evidence and empathy.
What Our Denver Addiction Treatment Programs Offer
- Chemsex Therapy: Navigate the intersection of intimacy, substance use, and trauma in a shame-free space.
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions with licensed, LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists.
- Conscious Recovery: A spiritually integrated addiction recovery model.
- Psychiatric Services: Medication support from a board-certified psychiatrist.
- Holistic Healing: Yoga, somatic therapy, creative expression, mindfulness, and energy healing.
Flexible Levels of Care for Substance Abuse Treatment
- Partial Hospitalization (PHP) — Intensive, full-day programming for those who need structured support to stabilize and begin recovery
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP) — Structured programming across multiple days per week, designed as a bridge back to daily lif
- LGBTQIA+-affirming housing — Safe, stable housing available for clients who need additional support during treatment
Why Clients Trust Chroma Wellness
- LGBTQIA+ exclusive program with lived-experience clinicians
- Founded by Ryan Sturdevant, LGBTQIA+ and behavioral health leader with 17+ years of experience
- Integrated care: therapy, psychiatry, coaching, and wellness all under one roof
- A harm-reduction and trauma-informed philosophy tailored to you
- Affirming space where your story and safety come first
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is chemsex and how is it treated at Chroma Wellness?
Chemsex involves using substances to enhance sexual experiences and may involve risk, shame, or trauma. We provide chemsex treatment through individual and group therapy, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care tailored to LGBTQIA+ clients.
Do I need to be sober to start treatment?
No. We support clients exploring harm reduction, moderation, or abstinence. Our goal is to meet you where you are with non-judgmental support.
Are your services covered by insurance?
Yes. We accept most major insurance plans and also offer payment plans. Contact us to verify your coverage.
Can I choose a therapist who shares my identity?
Whenever possible, yes. Our team includes licensed LGBTQIA+ clinicians who understand the cultural and emotional context of your experience.
How do I know if I need help?
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or concerned about your relationship with substances, it’s worth reaching out. You don’t need a crisis to benefit from support.
Start Where You Are
You don’t have to wait for a crisis. If you’re questioning your use, or if substances have started to interfere with your life, we’re here to help. Many of our clients come to us unsure, but leave feeling more grounded, clear, and connected.
Call 720-410-5569 or fill out our confidential consultation form to take the first step.
Healing is possible, and you deserve care that sees the full picture of who you are.