Characterizing Social Connectedness and Associated Mental Health Symptoms among Sexual Minority Men Enrolled in a Substance Use Recovery Support Program

Abstract

Background

Sexual minority men (SMM; gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men) report higher rates of substance use compared to other populations. Social connectedness is a critical component for promoting and maintaining recovery from substance use disorders. However, the degree of social connectedness among SMM who report substance use is largely unknown.

Objectives

We examined substance use, social connectedness (past 30-d participation in formal recovery support, past 30-d interaction with supportive family/friends, relationship satisfaction, and types of support) and mental health among SMM at the time of their enrollment in a behavioral substance use program from September 2019 to October 2021.

Results

Of the107 SMM, 80% of the sample reported past 30-d illicit substance use, with methamphetamine representing the most commonly reported drug used (53%). Participants used a variety of social connections for support, including self-help groups (44% voluntary; 5% religious-affiliated; 20% other) and family/friends (81%). Importantly, 15% reported they had no one to turn to when having trouble and 36% were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their relationships. Participants who endorsed significant depressive (58%) and anxiety (70%) symptoms were more likely to endorse relationship dissatisfaction than participants who did not endorse symptoms (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

One-third of SMM enrolled in a substance use recovery program expressed relationship dissatisfaction, particularly those struggling with depression or anxiety. Future research and programming should examine ways of leveraging existing social connectedness or forging new social supports to enhance mental health and substance use recovery for SMM using substances.

Keywords:

• Social connectedness
• substance use
• sexual minority men
• anxiety
• depression

Declaration of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration under Grant 6H79TI080656-01M001. NF’s time was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (T32MH078788-16; PI: Brown). PAC is supported by the Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Public Health Institute. BGR receives research funding from Gilead Sciences #IN-US-276-5463. IRB Approval#: 202021.