Gay Drug Addiction Information
Substance Abuse in the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Community
Drug Addiction and alcoholism is a disease which affects the lives of up to 20 percent of the homosexual community. Further research demonstrated that around 35 percent of lesbians had a history of alcohol abuse, compared to 5 percent of heterosexual women in the same control group ( Sagir 1983 ) Research shows that approximately 30 percent of the lesbian and gay community suffer from drug addiction or alcoholism (Rofes 1983)
Why is Gay Drug Addiction and Alcoholism such a problem?
Let me first state that I do not believe that homosexuality is a direct cause of drug addiction. It is clear to me that when gays or lesbians begin internalizing some of the community’s beliefs and homophobic attitudes, the rsults can be devestating. It can lead to a life of quiet desperation, low self esteem, depression and drug addiction.
Some gays may turn to drugs and alcohol as a means reduce or eliminate their emotional pain or reduce their felings over their struggle relating to their sexual orientation. WIth all of the above information, it is easy to understand why gays are also 7 times more likely to be victims of crimes than the remainder of the population (Gay, Lesbian Taask Force ) In response, many gay men and women turn to drugs and alcohol to manage their feelings of anger, shame, alienation or depression.
If you would like additional information on drug addiction or gay drug addiction programs, I suggest you go to, www.recoveryconnection.org a national help line and source of addiction information.
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcohol abuse, alcoholism, depression, drug addiction, recovery, substance abuse
