News & Opinion
Study: More Gays Than Straights Struggle with Drug, Alcohol Abuse
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Nearly two-fifths of lesbians, gays, and bisexual people abused an illegal drug last year.
October 25 2016 10:53 AM EST
October 25 2016 6:55 AM EST
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Nearly two-fifths of lesbians, gays, and bisexual people abused an illegal drug last year.
A government study has found that in 2015, lesbians, gays, and bisexual people were more likely to use illegal drugs or abuse prescription drugs than straight people.
The study results, released in October by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, showed that last year 39.1 percent of self-identified gays, lesbians, and bisexuals took an illicit drug last year. That's against 17.1 percent of straight people.
Sexual minorities dominated in drug use among all substances, including prescription pain killers, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Gays, lesbians, and bisexuals also lead straights in alcohol (63.6 percent vs. 56.2 percent) and cigarette (32.2 percent vs. 20.6 percent) use.
Big names in the LGBT community have started a conversation about substance abuse issues facing queer people today: