Many people in the LGBTQ community struggle much addiction. Discover why substance abuse is higher within the LGBTQ community and how you can help your loved one get on the road to recovery today. The findings for men continue to be mixed – some studies report that gay men are more likely to use alcohol and illicit drugs than heterosexual men, other studies report that gay and heterosexual men do not differ in people and illicit drug use, alcohol-related problems, or treatment utilization, and still other studies report that how men.
The researchers found that people who identified as being lesbian or gay were more than twice as likely as people who identified as heterosexual to have a “severe” alcohol or tobacco use. Research suggests that LGBTQ+ adults are more than gay as likely as heterosexual and cisgender people to use illicit drugs, such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. In addition, they are almost twice as likely to suffer from a substance abuse disorder.
Are substance use statistics. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer persons are more vulnerable and more susceptible to substance abuse and addiction thanks to a variety of factors including culture, stigma, trauma, and shame. LGBTQ+ persons are as much as four times as likely to suffer from a substance use disorder as a straight or cis person.
One participant in the report gave this shocking account of their experience:. As we continue to evolve as a society, it is paramount to ensure that every individual, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, has access to the resources, support and respect they deserve. Chemsex can significantly increase the risks of overdosing, contracting STIs or developing a drug addiction.
Support Group User. One of the report's findings that could potentially be interpreted as a silver lining for the LGBTQ community is that among adults who need substance abuse treatment, lesbian, gay and bisexual adults "were more more than their sexual majority counterparts to receive any substance use treatment. The disproportion, however, remains; rates are still similarly high in our populations.
This history can make them wary of entering environments where their sexuality or gender identity may not be understood or respected. Our Antidote drug can help if your use is becoming more problematic, with support to cut down or stop altogether.
The rise in chemsex, particularly in London, has been a cause of concern sincewhen numbers of chemsex-related hospital admissions hit a point that the NHS began devising specific treatment strategies. Search for:. The availability of this data after a gap of some years highlights the importance of routine monitoring of sexual orientation to allow us to identify significant differences such as these.
At the very least, healthcare providers must graduate with a high level of education on these issues. This mirrors what we see in our own treatment service Antidote where crystal has grown from no presentations a decade ago to being used by more than half IE 11 is not supported. Last Updated:. The figures, in fact, show higher use across all drugs by LGB people; unsurprisingly the largest difference is in the use of amyl nitrite poppersthe second most commonly used drug by gay and bi men, and 25 times more common than amongst straight men.
Use within the gay scene has long been viewed as being where trends can begin, and it can take a while for official data to catch up.
UKAT is committed to bridging these gaps and fostering an environment of inclusivity and understanding, and it is important that the broader healthcare community and society in general has the same commitment. Learn more about substance abuse in Americaand get the latest data by signing up for our weekly newsletter. Friend's social and sharing groups give me that chance.
Official data confirms LGB drug use much higher than heterosexuals. Health Articles. NBC News Logo. Nearly 40 percent of those who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual LGB claimed to have used illicit drugs in the past year, compared to 17 percent of those who identify as straight. If you or a loved one are grappling with addiction, help is available. So what can be done to address the substance abuse and mental health disparities affecting the LGBTQ community?
We offer walk-in assessments from two weekly drop-ins and work in partnership with three sexual health clinics each week.
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