How Substance Abuse Affects the LGBTQ+ Community: A Closer Look

It’s more common to see substance abuse in the LGBTQ+ community than in heterosexual and cisgender populations. The massive statistical difference persists regardless of drug, including both legal and illegal substances. “Minority stress,” or the additional difficulties members of marginalized groups face, puts them at higher risk than majority populations.

This same stress puts them at a higher risk of dual diagnoses. This co-occurrence of trauma and mood disorders further contributes to their high-risk status. It also reduces the efficacy of treatments not designed for members of their community.

In addition to higher risk, sexual and gender minorities suffer in treatment. Many unspecialized treatment programs designed for generalist populations fail to address critical emotional and life patterns in LGBTQ+ people. The group is not a monolith, either; treatments designed for cisgender gay men are not necessarily suitable for cisgender lesbian women or transgender/nonbinary individuals.  

Minority Stress and Increased Risk 

Social isolation, discrimination, harassment, and social stigma surrounding sexuality and gender identity all increase stress. Stress drives suffering individuals to use substances to cope, even as these same pressures limit their ability to seek help. These stressors do not replace the everyday financial and familial pressures of everyday life—they are additive. 

When the two combine, they raise members of sexual minority groups’ average stress levels far above the general population. The higher baseline increases the odds they reach a “tipping point” and turn to illicit substances to cope. 

Unusual life events that cause chronic stress disparately impact the LGBTQ+ community. They are significantly more likely to have suffered a traumatic event, often due to previous childhood use or assault. They are almost 10 times more likely to suffer from PTSD than their counterparts. A high risk of substance use disorder often accompanies PTSD diagnoses in general populations. In a group with a far higher baseline risk, it becomes another compounding factor. 

Mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, also occur at much higher rates among gay, transgender, and other LGBTQ+ groups. A person with depression or anxiety and a substance use disorder requires specialized dual diagnosis care, which many individuals cannot access. Sexual minorities are more likely to require this care and more likely to lack the means to obtain it—another disproportionate impact. 

Dual Diagnoses 

“Dual diagnosis” refers to treatment plans tailored to individuals who suffer from both a chronic mental illness and substance use disorder. Genetics, childhood events, and seasons all impact the odds of developing such a disorder, life stress also impacts its emergence. 

The stresses of a hostile environment or a suboptimal living situation manifest as depression, anxiety, or another brain disease. The overwhelming emotions or symptoms may push the use of drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. The temporary dopamine rush provides respite for overwhelming or untreated compounding mental health issues, or the stress of a hostile environment.  

LGTQ+ individuals who: 

• Live in a home that doesn’t accept them 
• Lacks a support network they can relate to or that understands their struggles 
• Are bullied by their peers or harassed at work 

certainly live in a hostile environment. This environment causes stress-induced changes. An individual living in such an environment could develop substance use disorder, any other disorder, or both. In such cases, the mental illness and substance use disorder often feed one another. 

Lack of Treatment Access 

LGBTQ+ individuals are a diverse group with complex and varied needs. A program that offers specialized  treatments must expend time and resources it may not have to properly address them. Few “mainstream” providers catering to the majority population have the resources needed to meet those needs. In addition to the difficulties all treatment programs address, treatment for LGBTQ+ people should cover:

• Coming out
• Family dynamics
• Healthy relationships
• Stigmas and stereotypes
• Transgender issues

Few generalists or religious groups can or will incorporate these concerns into their curriculums. These treatment settings may attempt to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere, but LGBTQ+ people may feel unsafe or uncomfortable regardless—especially when highlighted or credited as a reason for changes. They may feel unable to share their experience with people outside their community because they can’t connect or understand. 

This dynamic occurs within environments tailored to LGBTQ+ individuals. Transgender people often feel specialized groups fail to address their problems in favor of gay men and lesbians. Many stop engaging in treatment or decline to continue attendance. 

Find the Right LGBTQ Substance Abuse Treatment at SoberMind Recovery 

Treatment at SoberMind Recovery avoids these treatment-specific failures. SoberMind built an LGBTQ sober living program with a contemporary treatment approach, using tools developed in the last decade. Much has changed in addiction treatment in the last ten years, and SoberMind continues to occupy the cutting edge in dual diagnosis treatment and other emerging modalities. Contact SoberMind for more information about these programs and how it succeeds where other providers struggle.