Substance abuse in more than one in four LGB people

New research into alcohol and drug abuse in the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) community has found that more than one in four LGB people are showing signs of substance abuse problems.

The research, entitled Part of the Picture, was carried out by The Lesbian & Gay Foundation in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire. It was the largest study of its type and the first time the problems of substance abuse in the LGB community have been officially reported.

The report found that more than one-quarter of LGB people showed signs of drug dependence. Of those who were substance dependent, 54% were poly-substance users – they take more than one drug at a time. In 91% of cases, alcohol is one of the other substances.

“The increased likelihood of problematic use and dependency among LGB people is currently not widely acknowledged or addressed in the substance use field and, as a consequence, there is substantial risk of hidden harm among LGB populations,” the report states.

Around one in three substance dependent LGB people admitted that they would never seek professional advice, information or treatment for their problem.

Dr Caroline Yorston, policy and research officer at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, said: “The people we spoke to illustrated some of the social and emotional reasons why they use substances, such as isolation and depression. We already know these issues disproportionately affect lesbian, gay and bisexual people, so we can start to understand why substance use is higher among this community.”