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What are the realities of drug and alcohol use in the GLBT community? Andrew Milnes investigates.
They’re strong images: the hard partying gay man snorting lines of
speed or coke in the bathroom, or smoking crystal meth. The lesbian who
practically lives at the local pub, staying later than everyone else,
and outdrinking them all. The gym queen who uses steroids as a staple
to enhance his workouts.
Queer people have many different perceptions about the use and abuse of
substances in their community. The question is: are their perceptions –
in particular, the belief that queer people use drugs and alcohol more
heavily and more frequently than the wider community - true?
Some within the community believe the answer is yes, and say that
there’s research which proves their claim. But many hesitate about
over-generalising, particularly given outside perceptions of the queer
community being full of pill-popping party-heads who spend all their
time at dance parties.
Anne Mitchell from Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria believes much of the
current data indicates GLBT substance use is higher than in the general
community.
“The issue is whether or not this is a very bad thing, as we all know
that quite a lot of drug use in our community is recreational and
relatively problem free,” she says.
Mitchell cites a number of studies that seem to indicate this trend.
The Beyond Perceptions study conducted by the Australian Drug
Foundation in 2000 found drug and alcohol use to be four times higher
in the queer sample studied than in the general community. A 2005 study
by researchers at the Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and
Society and Melbourne University found non-heterosexual women were more
likely to smoke, drink alcohol and to have used illicit drugs than
their heterosexual sisters. And two studies on same-sex attracted
secondary students in 1997 and 2002 found increased substance use.
Some, however, believe that this data can be skewed by other factors.
“We need to be careful that we don’t see the queer community as
homogenous,” says Carlton Clinic GP Jonathan Anderson. “There is a
subset within the community who do use at higher levels than the
general population, but it’s certainly not universal or uniform.”
Anderson says a lot of his patients did not drink much or use drugs,
“although they do sometimes feel pressure to use substances or alcohol
from others”.
“The most visible part of the community is the bars and parties; that
is what most people see,” Anderson says, which consequently feeds into
perceptions in the wider community that all queer people party hard all
the time.
“In fact, most people I see probably won’t have gone out for a while, and don’t socialise in that realm all the time.”
But is this increased use risky or problematic? And is such risky use more accepted in the queer community?
John Ryan, from Anex, the Association for Prevention and Harm Reduction
Programs Australia, believes that, in general, excessive drunkenness or
drug use is frowned upon in the queer community.
“I don’t think that people who are extremely out of it on alcohol are looked upon positively, for example,” he says.
Indeed, in some cases, substance use in the queer community can result in less harm than in the general community.
“It is very seldom when men on the scene drink excessively and then get
violent as a result,” Ryan says, “whereas in the straight community,
they often do.”
However, there are some who have major concerns about substance use in
the community, particularly around specific drugs, such as crystal
meth.
While crystal meth is used by only a small minority of gay men in
Melbourne (15 per cent according to recent data) its use has increased;
and many are concerned about links between meth use and unsafe sex,
addiction, psychosis and other health risks.
Sydney has witnessed many meetings and calls for action within the
community around the ice issue. Many see it as a ‘bad’ drug whose use
should be avoided as much as possible.
But the broader question is, if rates of general substance use are higher among queers, then why?
Anne Mitchell believes homophobia is still a big factor.
“Concerning to me is the degree to which substances are not used
recreationally but as a form of self-medication to manage daily
experiences of homophobia,” she tells MCV.
So how does she think this can be turned around?
As well as believing that there’s a need for health promotion campaigns
and resources specifically targeting queer people, which look at
substance use and help people make informed choices, Mitchell says that
the main target has to be homophobia.
“If we focus everything on reducing homophobia, the dangerous end of
the substance abuse will be diminished significantly,” she says.
For individuals concerned about their own or a loved one’s substance
use, we recommend you to speak to your GP, or the services below for
further information:
GLAAMA (Gay and Lesbian Alcoholics Anonymous)
Meets Tuesdays in East Melbourne. Ph: 9429 1833
UnitingCare, Moreland Hall
Runs a range of services including counselling, withdrawal, and
‘Alcohol – Considering Change’ and ‘Cautious with Cannabis’ workshops. Ph: 9386 2876
Youth Substance Abuse Service
Youth-focussed service providing outreach, withdrawal and rehab. Ph: 9415 8881
Buoyancy Foundation
Provides counselling and support. Ph: 9429 3322
Turning Point
Provides counselling, withdrawal and outreach. Ph: 8413 8444
Odyssey House
Provides counselling, withdrawal and support. Ph: 9420 7600
Direct Line
24 hour counselling and support line. 1800 888 236
Andrew Milnes is an MCV contributor who works with the alcohol and drugs agency, UnitingCare Moreland Hall.
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