Prevalence and correlates of substance use among transgender adults: A systematic review

Connolly, Dean; Gilchrist, Gail

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106544

Cited by 113 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people report disproportionately higher rates of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and harms compared to non‐LGBTQ people [1,2]. This is often understood to be a consequence of stigma and discrimination [3], as well as the cultural significance of AOD use in LGBTQ social networks [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatment outcomes of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer alcohol and other drug counselling service in Australia: A retrospective analysis of client records

Lea

Brener

Lambert³

et al. 2021

Drug and Alcohol Review

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Introduction Substance use disorders are more prevalent among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people than among their heterosexual and cisgender peers. There has been limited alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment research with LGBTQ people outside of North America. This study aimed to examine the treatment outcomes of clients attending a LGBTQ‐specific AOD counselling service in Australia (ACON's Substance Support Service) and compare their client profile and treatment outcomes with LGBTQ and non‐LGBTQ clients of similar mainstream services. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of the health records of 284 ACON clients and 1011 clients of five mainstream services in 2016–2018. Clients completed clinical interviews at treatment entry and periodically throughout treatment and completed measures of substance use, severity of dependence, psychological distress and quality of life. Results Most ACON clients were seeking treatment for methamphetamine (58%) and alcohol use (26%). Among ACON clients, there were reductions in past month days of substance use and severity of dependence between treatment entry and counselling sessions 4, 8 and 12 (all P < 0.001). There were statistically significant reductions in psychological distress and improved quality of life among ACON clients. Despite ACON and the mainstream services having similar treatment approaches, their client profiles were markedly different in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, substance use and source of referral, which precluded comparison of treatment outcomes. Discussion and Conclusions ACON's clients showed reduced substance use and improved psychosocial wellbeing during treatment. The findings support the provision of LGBTQ‐specific AOD services.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatment outcomes of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer alcohol and other drug counselling service in Australia: A retrospective analysis of client records

Lea

Brener

Lambert³

et al. 2021

Drug and Alcohol Review

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Clark et al, 2014;Conron et al, 2012;Glen & Hurrell, 2012;Meerwijk & Sevelius, 2017;Reisner et al, 2016;Van Caenegem et al, 2015). Since prior research has suggested that trans people are more likely to use drugs than cis people (Connolly & Gilchrist, 2020), this over-representation is likely in part explained by volunteer bias (Eysenbach & Wyatt, 2002). Further research should aim to increase the number of trans respondents and focus more specifically on the substances involved, the gender of perpetrators and their relationship with survivors, as well as where these incidents are likely to take place.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing Transgender and Cisgender Experiences of Being Taken Advantage of Sexually While Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Other Drugs

Connolly

Aldridge

Davies

et al. 2021

The Journal of Sex Research

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A small body of literature suggests that transgender people are more frequently exposed to sexual violence while they are under the influence of alcohol than cisgender counterparts. The goal of this study was to report any differences between transgender (n = 1,136) and cisgender (n = 74,277) respondents to the Global Drug Survey on their experiences of being taken advantage of sexually while under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs. We found that transgender people were more likely than cisgender people to have experienced being taken advantage of in the last year (9.3% vs 4.2%) and more than 12 months preceding the survey (24.9% vs 14.3%). Non-binary participants were more likely than binary transgender participants (27.7% vs 17.8%) to report being taken advantage of sexually more than a year preceding the survey. Similarly, trans respondents assigned female at birth were more likely than trans respondents assigned male at birth to report this (30.0% vs 19.7%). Nonspecialist services for survivors of sexual violence should be adequately prepared for and accommodating toward transgender clients. Future research should explore their unique needs. Moreover, clinicians who assess transgender people should remain mindful of their increased likelihood of being taken advantage of sexually while under the influence of alcohol and other drugs and consider trauma-informed interventions.

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“…Conversely, some individuals reported increased alcohol consumption and “comfort eating” during the early pandemic. Trans and nonbinary individuals experience disproportionate rates of substance use disorders, often the result of high rates of stigma and discrimination ( Connolly & Gilchrist, 2020 ). Thus, increases in substance use as a result of the pandemic could have a deleterious effect on trans and nonbinary individuals, as both the loss of protective LGBTQ spaces and stay-at-home orders may leave trans and nonbinary individuals more vulnerable to mental health stress.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health and Access to Gender-Affirming Care During COVID-19: Experiences of transmasculine individuals and men assigned female sex at birth

et al. 2021

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Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, global research has suggested that the pandemic has negatively affected lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) populations, including by limiting health care access. There is little research on the impact of COVID-19 among transmasculine persons and men assigned female sex at birth (AFAB) in the United States, who face unique health care challenges outside of the pandemic context. Between May and June of 2020, 20 transmasculine individuals and AFAB men who have sex with men participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked how the pandemic affected their access to health care, overall health, and well-being. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive, thematic approach. Participants reported reduced access to in-person health care, which in some cases meant overdue hormone-related bloodwork and unmet health care needs. Most participants reported that they were able to maintain their testosterone regimen, although some were concerned about future access, citing anxiety about potential shortages. Three participants reported canceled or deferred gender-affirming procedures, which they were uncertain would be rescheduled soon. Participants generally reported that the expansion of telehealth improved access to care, particularly for gender-affirming psychotherapy that was otherwise inaccessible or inconvenient prior to the pandemic. Other salient themes include the pandemic’s impact on health behaviors and daily routines. Although the COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges for maintaining health, it also expanded access to gender-affirming health care, largely through the expansion of telehealth. Our findings provide new insights for supporting the health of transmasculine individuals and AFAB men.

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Prevalence and correlates of substance use among transgender adults: A systematic review

Cited by 113 publications

References 92 publications

Treatment outcomes of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer alcohol and other drug counselling service in Australia: A retrospective analysis of client records

Treatment outcomes of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer alcohol and other drug counselling service in Australia: A retrospective analysis of client records

Comparing Transgender and Cisgender Experiences of Being Taken Advantage of Sexually While Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Other Drugs

Health and Access to Gender-Affirming Care During COVID-19: Experiences of transmasculine individuals and men assigned female sex at birth

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