Members of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) community face challenges every day that can leave them struggling to find healthy coping methods. While society has become far more accepting than it used to be, there is still a lot to be done to allow LGBTQ members to live free from discrimination. In most cases, those who stand out are faced with judgment and societal pressure. This takes the struggle past simply identifying difficult pressures to handling them. For many in the LBGTQ+ community substance abuse may be used to help lessen these pressures. However, this only increases the risk for addiction.

Outside of societal pressures, there is a culture of substance abuse that can encourage LGBTQ+ individuals to use. This is especially common for younger individuals who may be seeking community as they learn about their sexuality. Safe spaces for many LGBTQ+ are clubs and bars, since these LGBTQ+-specific venues encourage a no-judgment zone. While a community is important for any person, these communities can sometimes risk exposing young LGBTQ+ members to environments where substances are ever-present.

This article will discuss some challenges LGBTQ members face, how these challenges put them at a higher risk for addiction, and other co-occurring disorders.

Challenges of the LGBTQ+ Community

There are various challenges LGBTQ+ face that could result in substance abuse or addiction. Many of them are influenced by society while others are caused by the impact addiction takes on their lives.

There are many discrimination laws in place that prevent the LGBTQ+ community from getting jobs, accessing sustainable housing, health care, relationship recognition, and access to certain services. These laws are not widespread and exist in only parts of the country, but those who do face them should not be ignored. Having uncertain prospects for one’s livelihood can result in copious amounts of stress and tension. To combat it, many do turn to substances to cope.

In some situations, members of the LGBTQ+ community may find support from loved ones, but that is not universally common. This strife between family and friends can cause an LBGTQ+ person to feel isolated, depressed, and fearful of the future. For some who suffer from these feelings, they may seek out substances as a means of numbing the pain. Continued use of substances only puts a user at risk of forming a dependency and later addiction.

Challenges Resulting from Substance Abuse

Whether it is rejection from family, loss of employment, hate crimes, threats, or abuse there are many social challenges an LGBTQ+ member faces. However, if substance abuse and addiction occur it can only add to the list of complications members may face.

Homelessness

While sometimes the result of social discrimination or addiction, homelessness in LBGTQ+ youth is far too common. Addiction can prevent a person from having a stable employment. Or it could cause a person to be kicked from their home by a family who rejects them and doesn’t want to help them in their recovery. For some who are left homeless, substances may help cope with the situation.

The risk of adding to addiction through abuse is also exacerbated by the homeless situation. They can be left exposed outdoors in whatever conditions they can find. If they do manage to find shelter, there is also risk. First, there is a risk of being targeted as a part of a hate crime resulting in abuse or sexual assault. However, if a person is suffering from addiction they may encounter the possibility of a homeless shelter turning them away because of their substance use.

Mental Health Issues

Homelessness can not only be influenced by addiction, but it opens the door for other problems as a result of feeling abandoned or lost. Mental health struggles are very common in the LGBTQ+ community as members are 3 times more likely to have a mental health condition. These conditions can range from paranoia, depression, delusions, psychosis, anxiety, and panic attacks. The co-occurring disorders make coping with substance abuse increasingly difficult.

In many cases, the co-occurring disorders may influence a user to abuse substances more to drown out the negative effects.

Increased Risk of Suicide

While the overall risk of suicide for LGBTQ+ members is higher than the average, the addition of addiction only worsens these chances. Feeling lost, isolated, and suffering from addiction may push a person to do the worst. In turn, using substances to the extreme to counter the suicide risk can worsen thoughts and feelings when substances are no longer in use.

Transgender Individuals and Substance Abuse

A transgender individual is a person assigned a biological gender at birth that does not match up with their gender identity. To come out transgender can be freeing for those who have felt uncomfortable in their skin for years. However, the lack of support from society and family can make coming out transgender terrifying.

Rejection from family and society for trying to find one’s identity can be damaging to the mental health of a transgender person. For some, they may seek out substances to cope with this. Transgender persons are found to be 2.5 times more likely to use cocaine or meth to manage the isolation they may face.

Because being transgender often means a drastic visual change in a person, it isn’t easy for them to simply hide who they are until they are ready. This makes them feel exposed and vulnerable while still navigating this new life laid out before them. Using can help a trans person manage this new life, but puts them at a higher risk of addiction.

Addiction and managing this new life, especially for young trans people, can take their toll. Almost 30 percent of gay and transgender youth consider suicide. For many, the alternative is using substances to push the negative from their minds. Neither situation is ideal, but without support and resources, many LGBTQ+ may not know their options for help.

Co-Occurring Disorders in the LGBTQ+ Community

As mentioned above, mental health disorders are increasingly common in the LGBTQ+. These disorders are influenced by emotional distress from trying to find the balance between living as their true self and what society wants from them. This distress can not only influence disorders but also increase the risk of developing health-related complications. Some common disorders as a result are:

• Major depression
• Generalized anxiety disorders
• High level of stress
• Suicide attempts or self-harm
• Compulsive sexual behavior
• Sexual dysfunction or sex-related anxiety
• Sexual abuse or assault

Managing life as an LGBTQ+ individual and combating a mental disorder can seem like chaos, but the relief many seek isn’t as helpful as they would like. Abusing substances and forming an addiction can only worsen these mental disorders. While many treatment centers are equipped with the tools to help combat and recover from addiction, there is a need for more specific treatment. Understanding what influences the motives of LGBTQ+ members to abuse can help guide them to recovery.