Using to Numb the Pain: Substance Use and Abuse Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between heterosexist events, internalized homophobia, and substance use and abuse among 824 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Participants completed the Schedule for Heterosexist Events (SHE), Internalized Homophobia Scale (IHP), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST). A MANCOVA with age as a covariate and sexual orientation as a cofactor indicated there were significant differences in how lesbians, gay males, and bisexuals experienced heterosexism and internalized homophobia. In particular, gay males and lesbians reported experiencing more heterosexism than bisexuals, and gay males and bisexuals reported experiencing more internalized homophobia than lesbians. Participants who were classified as having at least one alcohol or drug use disorder were significantly more likely to have experienced heterosexism and internalized homophobia than those who were not classified as having a substance use disorder. Implications for mental health counselors, counselor educators, and researchers are noted.