LGBT Risk to Substance abuse

Concern have been expressed about the nature and extent of substance misuse or abuse in LGBT communities over the past 20 years. Studies have suggested that the rates of use are higher in comparison to the general population. The possible explanations  for substance abuse have included discrimination, minority stress and living in urban environments or no children in the household. (McCabe et al., 2010; Baiocco et al., 2010; Hoare et al.,2010). However, I believe there are various reasons that caused LGBT people to be vulnerable to substance abuse other than the aforementioned explanations.

1.      Stall and Wiley (1988) report that gay men not only use drugs more often but use a greater variety of drugs than heterosexual men. Explanation for this phenomenon include internalization of society's homophobia, nonacceptance of self, fear of coming-out, low self-esteem and lead a double life (Finnegan & McNally, 2002).

2.      Recent research also suggested that mental disorders are more common in LGBT people which they are more likely to experience psychological distress, to have thoughts of suicide and self harm (Warner et al., 2004).

3.      A UK study of gay and bisexual men identified factors associated with drug and alcohol use such as individual's sense connectedness to LGBT communities (peer pressure), mitigating social unease, alleviating loneliness or unhappiness and enabling sexual encounters (Keogh et al., 2009).

4.      Use of illicit drugs was found to be fairly common in gay and bisexual men, with half having used at least one drug in the last year. The three most common used drugs were alcohol, amyl nitrite and cannabis (Keogh et al., 2009).

5.      LGBT youth Higher rates of substance abuse and alcohol-related problems (Rivers & Noret, 2008), along with more widespread use of marijuana and cocaine than heterosexual youth and adults (Rosario et al., 2004; Ryan & Futterman, 2001). Overall, compared with heterosexual and homosexual men and women, bisexual have been found to be at higher risk for substance abuse (S. T. Russell et al., 2002).

 

References

Baiocco, R., D'Alessio, M. & Laghi, F. (2010). Binge drinking among gay and lesbian youths: the role of internalized sexual stigma, self-disclosure, and individual's sense of connectedness to the gay community. Addictive Behaviors, 35, 896-9.

Finnegan, D., & McNally, E. (2002). Counseling lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender substance abusers: Dual identities. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press.

Hoare, J. and Moon, D. (Ed.) (2010) Drug Misuse Declared: Findings from the 2009/10 British Crime Survey. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 13/10. Retrieved October 17, from  http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/hosb1310.pdf

Keogh. P., Reid, D., Bourne, A., Weatherburn, P. Hickson, F. Jessup, K. and Hammond, G. (2009). Wasted opportunities: Problematic Alcohol and Drug Use among Gay men and Bisexual Men. London: Sigma Research.

McCabe, S.E., Bostwick, W. B., Hughes, T. L., West, B. T. and Boyd, C. J. (2010). The relationship between discrimination and substance use disorders among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 100, 1946-52. 

Rivers, I., & Noret, N. (2008). Well-being among same-sex and opposite-sex-attracted youth at school. School Psychology Review, 37, 174-187.

Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E., & Hunter, J. (2004). Predictors of substance use over time among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths. An examination of three hypotheses. Addictive Behaviors, 29(8), 1623-1631.

Russell, S.T., Driscoll, A.K., & Truong, N. (2002). Adolescent same-sex romantic attractions and relationships: Implications for substance use and abuse. American Journal of Public Health, 92, 198-202.

Ryan, C., & Futterman, D. (2001). Social and developmental challenges for lesbian, gay, bisexual youth. SIECUS Report, 29(4), 5-18.

Stall, R., & Wiley, J. (1988). A comparison of alcohol and drug use patterns of homosexual and heterosexual men. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 22, 63-73.