Drugs and the LGBTQ Community

According to a report by the UK Drug Policy Commission, gay men and lesbians are far more likely to put their health at risk from drug misuse than heterosexuals.  The Impact of Drugs on Different Minority Groups: A review of the UK Literature has argued that it is paramount that there be a better understanding of drug use within diverse minority communities if lives are going to be saved.  People within the LGBTQ community tend to be early users of new drugs and illicit drug use is higher than their heterosexual counterparts.  An explanation of the higher drug use within the LGBTQ community has everything to do with the struggles individual's within this community face on a daily basis.  Heavy drug use could be linked to deeper mental issues that may make gay men or lesbians more susceptible to drug misuse. Homophobic bullying starting from the time individual's are in school often has a hangover effect, storing up mental and emotional health problems later on into their adult life. 


It is interesting that although LGBTQ people are shown as having used all types of drugs, there are certain drugs that appear to be more popular within the community rather than in the mainstream community.  For instance, gay men are more likely to use marijuana, cocaine, stimulants, sedatives, and party drugs such as ecstasy and ketamine.  


Another very significant part of drug addiction within the LGBTQ community is linked to "club drugs."  Club Drugs also known as "designer drugs"has risen to popularity over the last two decades.  Including trip-based drugs such as the aforementioned ecstasy, club drugs tend to be used to facilitate social and sexual interactions at dance clubs or underground parties known as “raves.”  Many club drugs can quickly lead to addiction and consequences of addiction include compromised judgment and the lowering of social inhibitions, in the worst cases leading gay and lesbian individuals to fall victim to drug overdose, unsafe or anonymous sexual practices and even become victims of sexual assaults and verbal and physical violence.