Why LGBTQ+ Youth Are at Higher Risk for Addiction and Mental Health Disorders

Youths who identify as LGBTQ+ are twice as likely as their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts to suffer from a mental health or substance use disorder. Risk factors for LGBTQ+ youth are significant, including facing discrimination and dealing with stigma. 

If your child identifies as LGBTQ+, it can help to know all about the risks they may face. Learn more about why substance use disorders and mental health concerns occur in such significant numbers among youths in the LGBTQ+ community. 

The Connection Between Mental Health Disorders and Substance Use Disorders

One important thing to understand is that mental health and substance use disorders are often entwined. One frequently leads to the other. The reason for that comes down to brain anatomy. Alcohol and drug use affect many of the same areas of the brain that are impacted by mental health concerns. 

When you experience an issue with your mental health, it can prompt uncomfortable symptoms that drugs or alcohol seem to tamp down. In fact, these substances only exacerbate the problem, leading youths into a vicious circle of negative feelings and substance use. 

But why are mental health concerns so prominent in the LGBTQ+ community to begin with? Genetics is, of course, always a concern. It can play a starring role in the development of mental illness in any person. 

However, there are environmental factors to consider as well. For one thing, these outside elements can make mental illness more likely. For another, they can worsen the suffering young people experience, increasing their likelihood of turning to substances to cope. 

Risk Factors for LGBTQ+ Youths

Societal acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals has increased significantly in recent decades. Nonetheless, youths continue to face significant challenges.

Lack of Family Acceptance

An issue that many LGTBQ+ youths deal with is not having support and acceptance at home. Family support can potentially protect a child and teenager from developing a substance use disorder. Research has found that sexual minority groups facing family rejection are three times more likely to use drugs than those with family support. 

Lack of family acceptance can also prompt self-esteem issues that result in depression. Pairing substance use disorders with depression is particularly dangerous and yet all too common. That’s why LGBTQ suicide risks are high. LGBTQ+ youths are two times more likely to feel suicidal than heterosexual youths. 

Traumatic Life Experiences

[Pullquote: “Harassment and bullying can leave serious scars on someone’s psyche.”]

Although traumatic experiences can happen to anyone, LGBTQ+ youths can experience them at higher rates. Harassment and bullying can leave serious scars on someone’s psyche. 

These experiences tend to occur in school settings, but they can also be an issue in the home environment. There are strong connections between the victimization that LGBTQ+ youths experience in schools and a heightened risk of developing substance misuse issues. 

Heightened Risk of Experiencing Homelessness

Because family acceptance is not a given for youths who identify as LGBTQ+, many experience homelessness. Keep in mind that up to 40% of the homeless youth population around the country is LGBTQ+. Not having a safe home environment increases the chances of developing both substance use and mental health disorders. 

Hesitation in Getting Treatment

LGBTQ+ youths can face barriers when seeking help for substance use and mental health concerns. Often, treatment centers don’t have experience with the LGBTQ+ community. As a result, they don’t understand how to address the unique challenges they experience. 

LGBTQ+ youths may delay getting treatment because they don’t want to disclose their sexual orientation. They may also have had negative experiences in the past with healthcare providers and don’t feel comfortable asking for help. 

Whatever the reason, not getting prompt treatment for mental health or substance use disorders can only worsen the condition. The longer it goes on, the more structural changes the illness can make to the brain.

Ways Loved Ones Can Help

“Learning about LGBTQ+ issues provides a chance to understand the unique challenges your child faces.”

Is a loved one fighting a mental health battle or a substance use disorder? If so, there are ways you can offer support and provide the guidance they need. Vitally, make sure to encourage them to get help from professionals who work with LGBTQ+ youths.

You can also make a difference by learning more about the LGBTQ+ community and getting involved. This shows your child that you support them exactly as they are. Learning about LGBTQ+ issues provides a chance to understand the unique challenges your child faces. 

It’s important to have open and ongoing conversations, too. Ask about pronouns, as well as what you can do to help them. Just knowing that you’re there and ready to listen can be a huge assistance to a youth who’s struggling through each day. 

Helping LGBTQ+ Youths Achieve Their Mental Health Goals

At SoberMind Recovery, we know how difficult mental health and substance use disorders can be for the entire family. Our team also understands that the difficulty only worsens if these issues occur together. 

To address your concerns, we offer LGBTQ sober living and dual-diagnosis treatment in Los Angeles. Our approach gets at the underlying cause of the issues your child is facing. 

We have professionals experienced in affirmation-based therapy and truly understand the daily challenges that LGBTQ+ youths navigate. Armed with these tools, we can provide the care that your loved one deserves. Contact us at SoberMind Recovery to learn more about our services.