Conversion Therapy and addiction frequently co-occur — each substantially increases the risk for the other, and both must be addressed for lasting recovery.
Why Conversion Therapy and Addiction Occur Together
The relationship is bidirectional:
- Many people use substances to self-medicate conversion therapy, creating dependency
- Substances temporarily relieve conversion therapy symptoms but ultimately worsen them
- Addiction itself creates the neurological conditions that drive conversion therapy
- Shared risk factors (trauma, genetics, stress) predispose to both
The Challenge of Treating Both Conversion Therapy and Addiction
Treating only one condition while ignoring the other leads to poor outcomes. Integrated dual-diagnosis treatment addressing both simultaneously is most effective.
Treatment for Co-occurring Conversion Therapy and Addiction
Integrated programs address conversion therapy and substance use together through:
- Trauma-informed therapy (often underlying both)
- Medication-assisted treatment where appropriate
- Peer support that understands both conditions
- Addressing the conversion therapy symptoms that drive substance use