A scoping review of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use treatment interventions for sexual and gender minority populations

Jeremy D. Kidd,Tonda L. Hughes,Margaret M. Paschen-Wolff,Billy A. Caceres,Amy A. Mericle,Laurie A. Drabble

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108539

Abstract

BackgroundAlcohol, tobacco, and other drug use are among the most prevalent and important health disparities affecting sexual and gender minority (SGM; e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) populations. Although numerous government agencies and health experts have called for substance use intervention studies to address these disparities, such studies continue to be relatively rare. MethodWe conducted a scoping review of prevention and drug treatment intervention studies for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use that were conducted with SGM adults. We searched three databases to identify pertinent English-language, peer-reviewed articles published between 1985 and 2019. ResultsOur search yielded 71 articles. The majority focused on sexual minority men and studied individual or group psychotherapies for alcohol, tobacco, or methamphetamine use. ConclusionOur findings highlight the need for intervention research focused on sexual minority women and gender minority individuals and on cannabis and opioid use. There is also a need for more research that evaluates dyadic, population-level, and medication interventions.

Highlights

Over the past 20 years, an increasing number of studies have re ported sexual orientation– and gender identity–related disparities in mental and physical health—with sexual and gender minority (SGM; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) individuals being at substan tially greater risk than heterosexual people (American Academy of Nursing, 2016; Caceres et al, 2019; Muller & Hughes, 2016; National Academies of Sciences, 2020)
This review demonstrates that substance use intervention research Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment xxx (xxxx) xxx among SGM people is in its infancy
While many of the studies included in this review focused on interventions that incorporated elements intended to be responsive to the needs and per spectives of SGM individuals, only nine studies directly compared tailored and nontailored versions of an intervention (Carrico et al, 2018; Carrico, Gomez, et al, 2015; Morgenstern et al, 2007; Reback et al, 2018; Reback et al, 2019; Reback & Shoptaw, 2014; Shoptaw et al, 2005; Shoptaw et al, 2008; Starks et al, 2019); all but two (Morgenstern et al, 2007; Starks et al, 2019) focused on metham phetamine use

Summary

Introduction

Over the past 20 years, an increasing number of studies have re ported sexual orientation– and gender identity–related disparities in mental and physical health—with sexual and gender minority (SGM; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) individuals being at substan tially greater risk than heterosexual people (American Academy of Nursing, 2016; Caceres et al, 2019; Muller & Hughes, 2016; National Academies of Sciences, 2020). These studies have resulted in greater understanding of the health care needs of SGM populations and the challenges they face in accessing care and attaining/maintaining good health. There is a need for more research that evaluates dyadic, population-level, and medication interventions

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion