Demographic, Background, and Treatment Factors That Affect Gay and Bisexual Clients in Substance Abuse Programs

Abstract

In New York City, a convenience sample of 180 gay/bisexual former clients of substance abuse programs completed surveys that included questions regarding their demographic, background, and treatment factors. Multivariate analysis was utilized to determine which factors predicted differences in reported abstinence rates after treatment, reasons for leaving treatment, and perceptions of treatment. Specialized lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender programs and groups, individual counseling, and frequent 12-step program attendance appeared to be beneficial for gay/bisexual clients in substance abuse treatment. Furthermore, gay/bisexual men reported lower abstinence levels after treatment than did gay/bisexual women, and bisexual clients appeared to have more treatment difficulties than did gay/bisexual clients.