![Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5938/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Health-Social-Care.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Gay men entering the health care system present with unique needs essential for health care providers to comprehend and address. While data indicate mental health and substance abuse disorders are more prevalent among gay men compared with their heterosexual counterparts, the literature assessing abuse of alcohol by gay men is conflicting. This article explores the conflicting research examining the use and abuse of alcohol by gay men, common findings and themes among studies addressing the issue, the theoretical concepts of internalized homophobia and heterosexism as they relate to alcohol abuse, and clinical strategies providers can implement when encountering this issue among their gay male patients. This comprehensive assessment of the literature will also provide direction for future critical inquiries and outline ways to improve the current methods of inquiry.