My name is Autumn Rivers-Mercado (she/her), the Substance Use Disorder Counselor at The Center. Substance use is a complex issue that can affect individuals across all communities, including the LGBTQ+ community. This is why I am proud to share some of our latest offerings from Behavioral Health Services at The Center, designed to reduce stigma and provide a judgement-free space for discussion and support: Sober Curious support group and an upcoming community movie night!

Behavioral Health Services at The Center offers LGBTQ-affirming support through individual, couples, family, and group counseling; gender-affirming counseling and medical referrals; HIV services; and counseling for survivors of violence. Within BHS, our Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services provide supportive individual and group counseling, treatment planning, and referrals for community members exploring their relationship with substances through either harm reduction or abstinence-based approaches. Services are available at no cost, both in person and via telehealth.

Thanks to The Center’s successful advocacy efforts last year, we secured funding to continue our SUD services, helping us sustain accessible, LGBTQ-affirming care and fill critical gaps in behavioral health support for our community.

One of our ongoing resources is Sober Curious, a welcoming support group for LGBTQ+ community members who want to explore their relationship with alcohol and other substances in a judgment-free environment. This group is not intended to pressure attendees to become sober. Instead, it’s a space for open conversation, curiosity, reflection, and support. Whether you’re cutting back, taking a break, practicing harm reduction, staying sober, or simply interested in thinking differently about your relationship with substances, there is space for your experience in this support group!

Sober Curious meets every Thursday from 5-6pm at the BHS Office in Hillcrest. To learn more or get connected, contact counseling@thecentersd.org.

We also invite you to join us for an upcoming movie night and discussion, hosted by Black Services at The Center in collaboration with Behavioral Health Services. On Friday, June 5, at 5pm at The Center, we will be screening “Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy,” a powerful documentary examining how racism, politics, and misinformation has shaped the war on drugs and its lasting impact on marginalized communities. Following the screening, we’ll hold a community discussion, where attendees can engage in open dialogue about the film and related topics.

RSVP to the movie night on our website: https://bit.ly/JUNE5-MOVIE

For more information about Behavioral Health Services or the SUD program at The Center, please contact counseling@thecentersd.org.

Studies from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show that LGBTQ+ adults are more than twice as likely as their heterosexual counterparts to use illicit drugs and almost twice as likely to suffer from a substance use disorder. These statistics highlight the need for increased awareness and support for LGBTQ+ individuals facing substance use challenges. Our community deserves compassionate, affirming spaces to talk honestly about substance use without shame or judgment, and I’m grateful to be able to support folks wherever they are in their journey. I look forward to connecting with you!

In community, 

Autumn Rivers-Mercado (she/her)
Substance Use Disorder Counselor