Substance use and sexual identity: health disparities in NYC sexual health clinics

ABSTRACT

Background

The prevalence of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults is well documented; less is known about rates of unhealthy AOD use that could escalate into substance use disorders.

Methods

In a retrospective sample of 11,278 patients seen in New York City Sexual Health clinics, rates of unhealthy AOD use were compared by sexual identity (i.e., gay/lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual).

Results

Patients who identified as LGB reported higher rates of unhealthy AOD use than patients who identified as heterosexual. Patients who identified as bisexual reported the highest rates of AOD use.

Conclusion

Findings are consistent with existing research on LGB health disparities. Healthcare providers can use non-judgmental approaches to elicit information from clients about sexual orientation, sexual health, and substance use. Implementing SBIRT in school and community settings addresses these behaviors without contributing to stigma.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol
• drugs
• health disparities
• bisexual
• minority stress

Disclosure statement

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

Data availability statement

Raw data were collected at NYC Sexual Health clinics. Derived data supporting the findings of this study were used with explicit permission from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to the first author and are not publicly available.

Notes

1. Same gender loving (or SGL) is a sexual identity term used primarily by people of color who eschew the term “gay” to describe same-sex relationships.