A Systematic Review of Interventions to Reduce Problematic Substance Use Among Transgender Individuals: A Call to Action.

Tiffany R Glynn,Jacob J Van Den Berg

doi:10.1089/trgh.2016.0037

Tiffany R Glynn, Jacob J Van Den Berg

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1089/trgh.2016.0037

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Abstract

Persons who are transgender (i.e., individuals who are assigned one sex at birth, but who do not identify with that sex) are at elevated risk for developing problematic substance use. Recent studies indicate that transgender persons have high rates of alcohol use, illicit drug use, and nonmedical use of prescription drugs and evince more severe misuse of these substances compared with nontransgender individuals. Despite the high rates of substance use among transgender persons and the multiple conceptual and narrative recommendations for substance use treatments, there is a lack of consensus or awareness of empirically tested interventions and programs effective for this population. Thus, it is critical to examine current substance use interventions for transgender individuals to identify gaps in the field and to immediately put forth efforts to reduce problematic substance use. This systematic review is the first to attempt a comprehensive identification and synthesis of the available evidence on interventions for reducing problematic substance use among transgender persons. Reflective of the state of the field regarding transgender care for substance use, we found a deficiency of studies to include in this systematic review (n=2). Perhaps the most important conclusion of this review is that well-designed, theoretically informed culturally sensitive research focused on developing and rigorously testing interventions for substance use among transgender individuals is alarmingly scarce. This review discusses barriers to intervention design and synthesizes treatment recommendations for future work.

Highlights

Persons who are transgender are at elevated risk for developing problematic substance use.[1]
Problematic substance use can be considered the umbrella term to encompass the multiple facets and terminology used by the World Health Organization,[2] the National Associations for National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA),[3] and the National Institute on Drug Abuse[4] for using alcohol or other drugs in excess
Despite the high rates of substance use in transgender individuals and the multiple conceptual and narrative recommendations for substance use treatments, there is a lack of consensus or awareness of empirically tested interventions and programs effective for transgender persons

Summary

Introduction

Persons who are transgender (i.e., individuals who are assigned one sex at birth, but who do not identify with that sex) are at elevated risk for developing problematic substance use.[1]. Engaging in binge drinking (e.g., defined as four to five or more drinks consumed on one occasion at least once in a 2-week period), using prescription medication(s) more than prescribed or not with a doctor’s prescription, or regular drug use (e.g., opioids, amphetamines, or cocaine).

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