Drug and Alcohol Abuse Within the Gay Communities

While no two addicts, whether gay or straight, will have identical backgrounds leading to abuse, there are some societal conditions that seem uniquely able to induce substance abuse, and many of these societal conditions are imposed upon the gay and lesbian communities.

Negative emotions

Feelings of shame can often induce substance abuse for coping, and feelings of shame within the gay and lesbian community seem to trigger high levels of use and abuse. Whether shame from a failure to meet familial expectations, personal shame through the hiding of a true sexual orientation, or shame at behaviors that may conflict with taught values of an upbringing; shame plays an important role in understanding the high levels of abuse within the gay, lesbian and transgender communities. Shame leads to anger and to resentments, and to an intolerable internalization of negative emotions. Often substance abuse is the only perceived release from these feelings.

Discrimination

Discrimination also induces abuse. Gays and lesbians experience persistent discrimination for their lifestyle and relationships, and the sensation of discrimination, which is very unpleasant, can provoke substance abuse as a way of coping. Intolerant communities create environments of hate that can be very traumatic to endure. Additionally, due to the discrimination of gays and lesbians, one of the few completely safe and accepted environments within the community is the gay bar; and when much social interaction occurs within a bar, the possibility for substance abuse and addiction increases.

The period of coming out can also induce substance abuse. Always a very stressful and confusing period, the trauma of a major life change can create an environment very conducive to substance abuse and addiction.

Lifestyle

Additionally, some parts of the gay lifestyle, and the party and play mentality of some club going gays and lesbians, increases the risks of abuse. Crystal meth, long prominent within the gay club scene, has emerged as a substantial problem within the gay community, and since crystal meth also leads too often to risky sexual behaviors, the combination of crystal meth and a loss of inhibitions can be deadly.