Alcohol as Coping: Internalized Homophobia and Heterosexism’s Role in Alcohol Use among Lesbians

Abstract

Despite prior research on alcohol use within lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) communities, little attention has been paid to the unique experiences of lesbians who have struggled with chronic alcohol use. This study used in-depth, semistructured interviews and an interpretive phenomenological framework to explore the perceptions of past alcohol use of six currently sober lesbians between the years 2008 and 2009. Three major themes emerged: alcohol use as coping with internalized homophobia/homonegativity, alcohol use as coping with heterosexism, and the role of alcohol in LGB spaces. Discussion includes implications for counselors as well as directions for future research.

Keywords:

• Alcohol
• counseling
• heterosexism
• homonegativity
• homophobia
• lesbian
• LGBTQ
• substance use