Elevated Substance Use Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women: Possible Explanations and Intervention Implications for an Urgent Public Health Concern

Abstract

Potential explanations for the elevated rates of substance use among lesbian and bisexual women relative to heterosexual women are provided by focusing on substance use differences among lesbian and bisexual women. The three explanations include butch versus femme (i.e., gender atypicality) differences in substance use, lesbian versus bisexual disparities in substance use, and disparities associated with socializing in substance-using settings, such as bars. Implications for interventions to reduce substance use and abuse among lesbian and bisexual women are addressed.

Keywords:

• lesbian
• gay
• bisexual
• substance use
• substance abuse
• gay-related stress
• internalized homophobia
• youth
• adolescents