Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Adults Using Drugs at High Rates

November 1, 2016

Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults are at greater risk than straight adults for substance use and mental health problems, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

The survey is the first source of federally collected information on substance use and mental health problems among the LGB community.

“We typically try to target underrepresented groups, whether that’s based on ethnicity, age or location,” Jonaki Bose, co-author of the report, told NBC OUT. “This is one of the first times that there is national, high-quality data available, so hopefully programmatic steps can be taken.”

Respondents were broken into one of two categories based on sexual orientation. Adults who identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual were defined as being in the sexual minority group. Adults who identified as heterosexual or straight were defined as being in the sexual majority group.

The study found that 39.1 percent of LGB adults had used an illicit drug in the past year compared to 17.1 percent of straight adults.

The survey indicated that 30.7 percent of sexual minorities had used marijuana in the past year, making it the most popular illicit drug of choice among the group. Just 12.9 percent of adults in the sexual majority group reported past-year cannabis use.

LGB adults misused prescription painkillers and tranquilizers at higher rates than straight adults, the survey found. Drug misuse is defined as use without prescription, or use in greater amounts, more often or longer than told by a physician to take the substance.

Sexual minorities also reported higher rates of cigarette use than those in the sexual majority group. Less than 1 percent of either group reported past-year heroin use.

Sexual Minorities and Alcohol Use

The survey also measured alcohol use among LGB and straight people.

Nearly 64 percent of sexual minorities reported past-month alcohol use, the report found. LGB adults aged 18 to 25 reported the highest level of past-month alcohol consumption among all age groups. Lesbian adults reported higher levels of past-month drinking than gay male adults.

Sexual minorities also reported higher levels of past-month binge drinking than their straight counterparts.

Straight adults aged 18 to 25, however, reported higher levels of past-month heavy drinking than LGB people in the same age group. Also, 9.9 percent of straight men reported past-month heavy drinking compared with 8.6 percent of gay men.

Stress Plays a Role

LGB people often battle discrimination, stigma and stress. Making friends may prove more difficult. Their families may reject them or treat them differently.

The survey’s authors told NBC OUT that stress may lead to substance abuse and mental health issues.

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing provides fuel to this theory. The report found that family acceptance is associated with positive mental and physical health among LGBTQ young adults.

Young adults who reported low levels of family acceptance were more vulnerable to depression, substance abuse and suicidal ideation and attempts than those with high levels of family acceptance, the survey found. Among those in low-accepting families, 38.3 reported having suicidal thoughts in the past six months compared with 18.5 percent of those from accepting families.

Dr. Eric Yarbrough, director of psychiatry at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York City, told NBC OUT that many medical schools and residencies do not teach LGBTQ-related health issues. However, organizations have addressed this deficit by calling for more research and education for healthcare providers.

Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

View Sources

• Gutierrez-Morfin, N. (2016, October 24). Report: Lesbian, Gay and Bi Adults Have Higher Drug Abuse Rates. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/report-lesbian-gay-bi-adults-face-higher-substance-abuse-rates-n671876
• Medley, G. et al. (2016, October). Sexual Orientation and Estimates of Adult Substance Use and Mental Health: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-SexualOrientation-2015/NSDUH-SexualOrientation-2015/NSDUH-SexualOrientation-2015.htm
• Ryan, C. et al. (2010, November 15). Family Acceptance in Adolescence and the Health of LGBT Young Adults. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1744-6171.2010.00246.x/full

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