Out of It: LGBT people,

substance use and treatment

Dr. Alastair RoyReader in Social ResearchPsychosocial Research UnitUniversity of Central Lancashire PrestonUK

• 35% of the sample had used a drug other than alcohol in the last four weeks.

• 34% of males and 29% of females reporting binge drinking at least once or twice a week.

• 22% showed met the threshold for dependent use (ICD-10/DSMIV)

• Significant proportions using drugs others than alcohol;

• high levels of dependence extending into 40s and 50s; and

• perceptual barriers to accessing support and services.

• Drug use in the past year amongst gay and bisexual men is three times higher (33%) than use amongst heterosexual men (11.1%).

• For lesbian and bisexual women use is more than four times as high (22.9%) than for heterosexual women (5.1%).

“Robert’s story”

“before the internet, there were very few ways of meeting other gay men...you either went cottaging, or you went cruising, or you went to a bar”

What might we learn from Robert’s story?

One recent response

Conclusions

Thanks for listening

Email: anroy@uclan.ac.ukTwitter: aliroy01