Substance Abuse Resources
Members of the LGBTQ+ community statistically have higher rates of substance abuse than those of the general population. One cause could be because their daily battles with discrimination and stigma cause high levels of stress that may push them toward drug and alcohol use.
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Substance use disorders affect 20 to 30 percent of the LGBTQ+ population, compared to 8.4 percent of the general population, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. These alarming numbers stress a need for more substance use recovery programs that cater to LGBTQ+ individuals.
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Source: Advanced Recovery Systems
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The University of Utah sponsors a free and confidential help and support line for any and all mental health or substance abuse issues, available 24/7, and the phone number is 1-800-273-8255.
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Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness offers a free hotline for state residents seeking support for substance abuse issues. The phone number is 1-385-210-0320.
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Available around the clock, 365 days a year, the National Rehab Hotline is free and confidential. An accredited specialist will answer after a few short rings and be there to help you through a substance abuse or mental health crisis. Give them a call at 1-866-210-1303 today.
For additional information about specific LGBTQ+ substance abuse resources, see below.
Alcohol
Alcohol use is ever-present in the lives of many LGBTQ+ individuals because of its prevalence in the social settings they frequent. The 2016 SAMHSA report found that past month drinking rates were higher among gay, lesbian and bisexual adults (63.6 percent) than among heterosexual adults (56.2 percent). Gay or bisexual women were much more likely than heterosexual women to engage in alcohol use, binge drinking and heavy drinking.
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According to a separate SAMHSA report, LGBTQ+ people are less likely to abstain from drugs and alcohol and are more likely to indulge in long-term heavy drinking.
Numerous studies have found that lesbians were more likely to drink heavily than their heterosexual counterparts, according to SAMHSA. The agency also noted that bisexual women report more hazardous drinking than lesbians or heterosexual women.
Tobacco
LGBT individuals may experience disparities that stem from social stigma and discriminatory treatment. On top of that, there is a different kind of disparity in the LGBT community that is often overlooked: disproportionately high tobacco use rates.
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Overall, lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults* smoked cigarettes at rates significantly higher than straight adults and were nearly twice as likely to use e-cigarettes and little cigars — trends due in part to targeted marketing by Big Tobacco. Transgender youth currently used tobacco products at higher rates than cisgender youth, including 4X higher cigarette use and 3X higher e-cigarette use. For years the tobacco industry has made efforts to appeal to LGBT consumers through things like targeted advertisements in LGBT press, cigarette giveaways, and free tobacco industry merchandise. Today, the LGBT community is among the hardest hit by tobacco.
Opioids and Narcotics
Whether prescribed to them or obtained elsewhere, roughly one in five teens reports having misused or abused prescription drugs intended as medicine. In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in overdose deaths attributed to prescription drugs, mainly pain relievers such as hydrocodone and oxycodone — and progression from prescription pain reliever addiction to heroin use has been observed in cases where the pain relievers become too expensive or difficult to obtain. Other prescription drugs that teens may misuse or abuse include stimulants like Adderall, often prescribed for ADHD, or sedatives and tranquilizers such as Xanax and Valium. Combining these prescription medications with alcohol can be especially dangerous.
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“Club drugs” are a diverse set of drugs, mostly hallucinogens and stimulants, that are popular at concerts and other social events. These include MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) and methamphetamine (meth). Methamphetamine is very addictive and can have deadly effects, including heart attack and stroke, in overdose or with chronic use. It can also lead to psychiatric symptoms like paranoia and hallucinations. MDMA use is associated with dehydration and hyperthermia (dangerous overheating), and has been linked to deaths at dance music events, where high temperatures and intense dancing compound the risks.
Getting Treatment for Substance Abuse
Addiction comes in many forms, and so does recovery. “Rehab” is a general term for intensive, supervised programs designed to help people stop using drugs or alcohol and give them the tools they need to live a healthy life.
Rehab can help you or someone you love step down from addiction safely and stay sober after detox. However, the length and form of treatment varies, based on your personal situation and dependence on drugs or alcohol. No single treatment works for everyone. It’s important to figure out if rehab is right for you and then choose a program that meets your needs.
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Depending on the degree of substance abuse, as well as the person’s home environment and personal situation, they may be encouraged to enroll in other care options. These include inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and aftercare.