Gay and Lesbian Drug Addiction

We’ve talked a little bit recently about drug and alcohol abuse among different groups: medical professionals, women, teenagers. Today we’re going to talk about the high risk of drug and alcohol abuse among gay and lesbian youth because it is so high, it is irresponsible to ignore it.

What the Research Says about Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Gay and Lesbian Youth

Did you know that lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are 190 percent more likely to use illegal substances than heterosexual teens of the same age? According to Medical News Today and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, that’s not all. Apparently, lesbian teens are 400 percent more likely to get high or drunk and bisexual teens are 340 percent more likely.

Michael P. Marshal, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC. He led the study and says, “Homophobia, discrimination and victimization are largely what are responsible for these substance use disparities in young gay people. History shows that when marginalized groups are oppressed and do not have equal opportunities and equal rights, they suffer. Our results show that gay youth are clearly no exception.”

What Can We Do About the High Risk for Drug Abuse Among Gay and Lesbian Teens?

First of all, we can begin by making it clear that sexual orientation can be a risk factor. Currently, this is not mentioned in any of the substance abuse prevention and intervention literature published by organizations like the American Medical Association, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism and the Institute of Medicine. More research needs to be done on the subject and this research needs to be made available to substance abuse treatment and medical professionals.

Says Dr. Marshal, “It is important to remember that the vast majority of gay youth are happy and healthy, despite the stressors of living in a violent, homophobic society. More than anything, gay youth need love, support and acceptance from their family members and friends. It also is imperative that health care providers offer a safe, confidential environment to discuss health care needs with gay teens.”

Do You Know a Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual Teen Struggling with Drug and Alcohol Abuse?

If you or someone you know is using drugs and alcohol as a way of dealing with sexual orientation issues, family issues, stressors at school or at work, the sooner you get help for yourself or them the better. The earlier that you get involved in drug addiction treatment, the better chance you will have of enjoying a life without drugs and alcohol destroying your health and relationships. If you have questions about the options available to you or if you need help setting up an intervention for your gay or lesbian teen, call us at The Canyon today.

That’s right. It’s coming up: June 26th is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking and it has been since the United Nations established it as such in 1987. Aside from creating a reason for a press release on a slow news day, what does the day’s demarcation mean for you and yours?

Honestly, Not Much…

Okay, so like many days that don’t give you a day off from work or the banks a reason to close early, IDDAIT probably doesn’t affect you too much directly. But unlike the laughable and expensive War on Drugs here in the United States, this initiative may actually do some good rather than just cost a lot of money.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is an important organization, or department within an organization, as it works to coordinate the efforts of its member countries in stopping the effects of drug addiction at the source: by stopping the trafficking of drugs.

In 2006, the UNODC launched a three-year campaign called “Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs.” In 2007, it focused on drug abuse itself; in 2008,they turned on drug cultivation and production; and in 2009, the will focus on drug trafficking. Specifically, their goal through this campaign is to raise awareness of the issues in their member countries and rally support for the initiative of drug control.

Education is Never a Bad Thing

If you feel like all this chatty-chat about drug education and awareness isn’t doing much good for any of the people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol, you’re not alone. I feel that way myself sometimes. But then again, education and making people aware of the problems that are around them can’t be a bad thing. And you never know who they’ll inspire. Maybe the next person they reach will realize the depths of the problem and do something about it. Or maybe they’ll get help for themselves.

Are You That Person?

If you’re realizing that you have a problem with drugs and/or alcohol and you need help, you’re already doing the right thing. Researching and finding out what is available to you as far as treatment and resources is the first and best step. Next is setting the goal of finding the right treatment center for you and initiating that treatment. If you have questions or if you’d like to find out more about what is available to you, call The Canyon.

It’s not always clear if someone you love is addicted to drugs, especially when you want more than anything for it not to be true. If you are using yourself, it may be even more difficult to be objective. But there are very definite signs and symptoms of drug abuse and addiction. Check out the list below and if these apply to you or your loved one, it is important that drug addiction treatment is sought immediately. 

Health and behavior deteriorates. People who are caught up in drug addiction rarely take care of themselves physically. They are often sick and, because they don’t feel well, they are also irritable, angry and anxious. Severe depression often sets in and moods fluctuate violently based on whether or not the person is high or coming down. In general, those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol find it difficult to concentrate on anything, are listless and non-communicative, and often fall ill.

Financial problems. It’s hard to keep track of your money when you’re addicted to drugs and alcohol, and habits are expensive. A drug addict rarely has money, because their addiction comes first. Bills don’t get paid, credit cards get maxed out, and many are driven to stealing—first from family and friends and then eventually petty theft crimes—in order to pay for their habit.

Losing jobs or failing out of school. Just like drug addicts and alcoholics rarely pay their bills or make it to doctor’s appointments, they also find it difficult to make it to school and work on time. Most will use drugs at work or school before they start missing days due to drug use. Soon, they’ll stop going completely, get kicked out or fired.

Changes in relationships. It’s difficult for an addict or alcoholic to hang out with people who aren’t using, so relationships with sober or “normal” friends and family members may drop off as addiction increases. New friends whose lives revolve around drugs and alcohol may come into the picture and addicts and alcoholics may become secretive about their drug abuse.

Changes in social life. Rather than going out, drug addicts and alcoholics tend to only go to functions where alcohol and drugs will be. If it’s a sober venue, an addict or alcoholic usually won’t show or else will smuggle in some substances. A great deal of time will be spent alone, as well, either recovering from a stint of using or just being high.

Just to make it more confusing, there is such a thing as a “functional” addict, or someone who can maintain a job, pay their bills and still make it to social functions and still be an alcoholic or addict. It’s rare, but it can happen and it’s just as serious, if not more so, than an addict who is so obviously in trouble. Too many times, the person doesn’t go for help and people don’t figure out that he or she needs treatment until it’s too late.

If you suspect that someone you love is an addict or alcoholic and would like to set up an intervention, you can call The Canyon. We have professional interventionists available to guide you through the process.

How did you know that you or your loved one was an addict?