Drug and alcohol problems can affect anyone, but for many gay and bisexual people, the journey is shaped by stigma, stress and the search for belonging. This page explores why substance use is higher in LGBTQ+ communities and what support looks like when it’s done right.
The Reality Behind Higher Drug and Alcohol Use in Gay and Bisexual People
Drug and alcohol problems can affect anyone, but research consistently shows that gay and bisexual people face significantly higher rates of use and harm than heterosexual peers. This gap reflects stigma and the ongoing challenge of finding inclusive support.
Recent data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales found that around 33% of gay and bisexual men and 23% of lesbian and bisexual women reported using illicit drugs in the past year, compared with 11% of heterosexual men and 5% of heterosexual women (Home Office, CSEW 2021–22).
Similarly, LGB adults are almost twice as likely to experience alcohol dependence and more likely to exceed weekly drinking guidelines (32% vs 24%) (Institute of Alcohol Studies, 2023). One in six LGBT adults reports drinking almost every day, compared with one in ten adults in the general population (LGBT Foundation, 2018).
The statistics mirror a broader reality: for many LGBTQ+ individuals, substance use starts as a way to ease emotional strain, calm anxiety or cope with social pressure. For others, it’s part of community and connection, from nightlife to dating, until it slowly becomes harder to put down.
LGBTQ+ spaces have long doubled as safe havens in a world that hasn’t always been so welcoming. But those same environments can blur the line between celebration and coping. Recognising how culture and stress overlap helps remove shame from the conversation and replaces it with understanding.
If you’re reading this for yourself, you don’t have to wait for a crisis. And if you’re here for someone you love, understanding these patterns can help you approach the conversation with empathy rather than confrontation.
This page aims to keep the data digestible, offer real-world insight and show how inclusive, trauma-informed care at Abbington House helps people find recovery that fits who they are.
Why This Matters
Substance use in gay and bisexual communities isn’t just a health issue; it’s a reflection of deeper social realities. When we talk about the higher rates of drug or alcohol use among LGBTQ+ people, we’re really talking about how environment, stress and belonging shape behaviour.
The impact of stress and stigma
Many gay and bisexual people grow up learning to hide parts of themselves in order to fit in and stay safe. That constant self-monitoring creates what researchers call minority stress: a background hum of pressure that never fully switches off. For some, alcohol or drugs become a way to silence that noise, to escape anxiety or to feel connected in spaces where it’s hard to be fully seen.
Community and culture
Bars, clubs and festivals have long been safe havens for LGBTQ+ people. They’re places to find friendship, love and identity. But they can also blur the line between celebration and coping. When substances become part of the culture of connection, it can be difficult to separate social life from substance use. That doesn’t mean community spaces are the problem; it simply highlights how important safe, substance-free alternatives and inclusive recovery networks are.
The double stigma faced by bisexual people
Bisexual people often experience what’s known as double stigma, feeling marginalised both within heterosexual and gay spaces. That sense of invisibility contributes to higher rates of depression, anxiety and substance use. It’s a reminder that treatment and outreach must recognise bisexual experiences as distinct, not an afterthought.
Why understanding helps
When people understand why the risks are higher, they’re more likely to seek or offer help without judgement. And when treatment centres understand the cultural context, they can tailor care that actually works: spaces where people don’t have to choose between being open about their identity and honest about their addiction.
What the Data Shows
Understanding the scale of drug and alcohol use within the gay and bisexual community helps highlight why tailored support is so vital, but data should inform, not overwhelm. Here’s what recent UK evidence tells us.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and LGBT Foundation data, gay, lesbian and bisexual adults are two to three times more likely to report using illicit drugs than heterosexual adults. About 25% of gay and lesbian people and around 37% of bisexual people report some form of drug use in the past year, compared with roughly 10% of heterosexual people. (Home Office, CSEW via London Friend, 2022; LGBT Foundation, 2018).
The types of substances also differ slightly. Research suggests that:
- Cannabis, cocaine and poppers are most commonly used among gay and bisexual men.
- Club drugs such as MDMA, GHB and methamphetamine feature more prominently in certain social or sexual settings (sometimes linked to chemsex culture).
- Alcohol consumption is consistently higher across LGB populations, with more frequent binge drinking and exceeding weekly guidelines.
Mental health also plays a significant role. Gay and bisexual people are more likely to struggle with anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts, and these often go hand in hand with substance use, each one making the other worse.
These numbers don’t define anyone, but they highlight something important: when people experience higher stress, stigma, or isolation, the risk of turning to substances naturally increases. It’s not a moral failing — it’s a human response to pressure that’s been carried for too long.
Why Rates Are Higher: The Real-World Factors
Statistics can tell us what’s happening, but they can’t explain why. Understanding the reasons behind higher substance use in gay and bisexual communities means looking beyond the surface at stress and the search for safety.
1. Minority stress and shame
For many LGBTQ+ people, growing up means learning to navigate rejection whether from family, religion or wider society. That constant tension between self-acceptance and social pressure creates what psychologists call minority stress: the emotional strain that comes from feeling different or unsafe in your own skin.
Over time, that stress becomes exhausting. Drugs or alcohol can feel like relief, a temporary way to quiet intrusive thoughts or escape fear. The problem is that the relief never lasts and often leads to isolation or dependency.
2. Trauma and mental health
LGBTQ+ adults are statistically more likely to experience trauma, including bullying, discrimination and sexual violence. These experiences can leave lasting emotional scars that make self-soothing through substances feel almost instinctive. Untreated trauma and addiction often go hand in hand, which is why trauma-informed therapy is so essential to long-term recovery.
3. Social and cultural spaces
Nightlife, festivals and dating apps have long been safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people to connect, but they can also be environments where drug and alcohol use feels normalised. This is especially true for chemsex culture, where intimacy, socialising and substances overlap.
It’s important to note: these settings aren’t the problem; they’re often born from community and survival. But the overlap between social connection and drug use can make recognising a problem more difficult.
4. Bisexual invisibility
Bisexual people often face a unique kind of exclusion, feeling misunderstood by both the heterosexual and gay communities. This lack of belonging can heighten loneliness, depression and in turn, substance use. Studies consistently show that bisexual people report the highest levels of stress and the lowest levels of perceived support.
5. Barriers to help
Many LGBTQ+ individuals delay seeking treatment because they fear judgment, or because past experiences with healthcare professionals have made them feel misunderstood. Some worry they’ll have to hide their identity in rehab. Others assume treatment isn’t built for people like them.
At Abbington House, we recognise that feeling seen and understood isn’t a luxury, but a foundation for recovery.
What Inclusive Support Looks Like
Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. For people who are gay, bisexual or questioning, the first hurdle is often finding a space where they don’t have to choose between being honest about their addiction and being honest about who they are.
An inclusive treatment environment recognises that identity shapes experience, and that recovery begins when someone feels safe enough to speak freely.
1. Affirming, not just accepting
True inclusivity means more than saying “everyone’s welcome.” It’s about creating a space where therapy and group dynamics reflect real understanding. Staff are trained to use inclusive language, avoid assumptions about relationships and understand the cultural contexts in which LGBTQ+ people may have used substances.
2. Treating the whole picture
Substance use rarely exists in isolation. It’s often tied to anxiety, trauma, self-esteem issues or experiences of rejection. A trauma-informed approach like the one used at Abbington House, helps people explore not just how they used, but why. That insight makes relapse prevention stronger and recovery feel personal, not prescriptive.
3. Connection and belonging
Many LGBTQ+ clients describe feeling most alone when surrounded by others, especially when hiding part of who they are. Recovery reverses that isolation. Group therapy, one-to-one counselling and community-based aftercare allow people to build connections on honest ground. At Abbington House, our Abbington Community network offers ongoing peer support, a reminder that connection doesn’t end when treatment does.
4. Privacy and safety
Some people come to rehab still closeted at work or within family life. Respect for confidentiality isn’t just policy; it’s protection. Inclusive services make sure clients can be open about their experiences without fear that information will reach the wrong ears.
5. Recovery that reflects real life
Healing is about reconnecting with yourself. LGBTQ+ affirming treatment empowers people to rebuild self-trust, relationships and resilience in the context of who they truly are.
At Abbington House, inclusivity isn’t a box we tick; it’s part of how we help people recover.
For Loved Ones
If someone you love is gay, bisexual or questioning, and struggling with drug or alcohol use, it can be hard to know where to start. You might worry about saying the wrong thing, pushing too hard or not understanding their experience. What matters most isn’t having all the right words, it’s showing care without judgement.
1. Recognise the signs with compassion
Changes in behaviour, secrecy, financial strain or mood swings might suggest a deeper problem, but confrontation rarely helps. Instead, start with curiosity: “You don’t seem yourself lately. Is there anything you want to talk about?” That gentle opening can make it easier for someone to share what’s really going on.
2. Understand the added weight of stigma
Many LGBTQ+ people already carry layers of shame or fear of rejection. When drug or alcohol problems appear, those feelings can double. If your loved one senses disapproval, even unintentionally, they may retreat further. Compassion doesn’t mean condoning substance use; it means separating the person from the problem.
3. Offer understanding, not ultimatums
Recovery begins with trust, not threats. Let them know that you’re there to listen, to learn, and to help them find support when they’re ready. You don’t need to be an expert on addiction or sexuality, just someone they can talk to safely.
4. Don’t try to do it alone
Families often feel the same exhaustion and worry as the person struggling. Professional support can guide you through therapy, support groups, or simply talking with a treatment centre that understands these complexities. Abbington House works closely with families, helping them navigate difficult conversations and rebuild trust together.
You don’t have to fully understand someone’s identity to help them feel safe enough to heal.
Hope and Recovery
Higher rates of drug or alcohol use don’t mean lower chances of recovery. In fact, when treatment truly caters to, recovery outcomes improve dramatically.
For many LGBTQ+ people, treatment is the first place they’ve ever felt truly understood. It’s about relearning connection, to others, to purpose and to yourself.
At Abbington House, we see recovery as a process of rebuilding self-trust. People often arrive carrying years of shame or silence. But when they’re surrounded by others who understand, something shifts. Honesty starts to feel safe and progress suddenly becomes possible.
The same sense of community that may once have revolved around nightlife or escapism can become a new kind of lifeline, one rooted in shared experiences, and vulnerability. That’s what long-term recovery looks like: belonging that doesn’t depend on substances.
Every person who walks through our doors has a story shaped by different circumstances but they all share one truth: addiction doesn’t erase who you are; recovery helps you rediscover it.
If you’re reading this, wondering whether it’s too late or too difficult, know this: recovery isn’t reserved for a certain type of person. It’s available to anyone willing to reach out, be honest, and accept help that understands the whole of who they are.
Abbington House: An Inclusive Space for Recovery
At Abbington House, we know that real recovery begins with connection. Many of our team members are themselves in long-term recovery, and together they bring over 125 years of lived experience to the work they do. That shared understanding is at the heart of everything here, because when you’re surrounded by people who’ve been where you are, you start to believe change is possible.
Inclusivity isn’t an afterthought; it’s an integral part of our clinic. From the moment someone arrives, they’re met with warmth, respect and the freedom to be themselves. Whether you’re gay, bisexual, trans, questioning or simply unsure where you fit, you’ll never be made to feel like you have to hide parts of who you are.
Therapy here is trauma-informed and person-centred, designed to treat the whole person, not just the addiction. We explore the links between substance use, stress, identity and self-worth, creating space for real healing to take place.
When treatment ends, connection continues through the Abbington Community, a peer network that offers lifelong support, events and a genuine sense of belonging.
No matter where you are on your journey, Abbington House provides a place where you can begin again, safely, authentically and without judgement.
Finding Help That Feels Right
If you’re reading this because you’re worried about your own substance use, or about someone you love, know that it’s never too soon to ask for help. You don’t need to have everything figured out, and you don’t need to label yourself before reaching out.
For many gay and bisexual people, the biggest hurdle isn’t admitting there’s a problem; it’s finding a place that feels safe enough to talk about it honestly. At Abbington House, you’ll find a team that not only understands addiction, but also understands people. Our inclusive approach means every story is met with empathy, not assumptions.
Whether you’re at the point of seeking treatment or just trying to understand what’s happening, we’re here to talk confidentially and without judgment.
Reach out today. We’ll help you explore what recovery could look like for you or your loved one.
