âAlthough data on the rates of substance abuse in gay and transgender populations are sparse, it is estimated that between 20 percent to 30 percent of gay and transgender people abuse substances, compared to about 9 percent of the general population. The stress that comes from daily battles with discrimination and stigma is a principle driver of these higher rates of substance use, as gay and transgender people turn to tobacco, alcohol, and other substances as a way to cope with these challenges, as well as a lack of culturally competent health care services also fuels high substance-use rates among gay and transgender people. â
Gay and transgender people smoke tobacco up to 200 percent more than their heterosexual and nontransgender peers.
Twenty-five percent of gay and transgender people abuse alcohol, compared to 5 to 10 percent of the general population.Â
 Gay and transgender people are 3.5 times more likely to use marijuana than the general population. Gay and transgender people also are 12.2 times more likely to use amphetamines than the general population. They are also 9.5 times more likely to use heroin than the general population.
Gay and transgender people report higher rates of substance use than others due to three main factors.
First, many gay and transgender people live with a high level of stress that comes from social prejudice and discriminatory laws in areas of daily life such as employment, relationship recognition, and health care.
Second, a lack of cultural competency in the health care system discourages gay and transgender people from seeking treatment for substance abuse, andâif they do seek helpâoften leads to inappropriate or irrelevant services.
Finally, targeted marketing efforts by alcohol and tobacco companies exploit the connection many gay and transgender people have to bars and clubs as safe spaces for socializing and increase easy access to tobacco products and alcohol.
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Soooooo!!!! Yeah our addictions our killing us!! It isnât a joke or a threat!!! Itâs a reality:))))) The reason we have those problems is because we are OPPRESSED, weâre treated like shit! Youâre community doesnât need vices to abuse b/c you donât face a reality where your a second class citizen and need to numb yourself to your reality!! B/c we suffer!! all the time!! weâre denied housing and jobs!!! weâre attacked and killed!!!! we canât get healthcare!! our relationships arenât recognized ! our identities arenât recognized!! we even have our children taken from us!! our gender/sexualities are reason to be jailed/killed/be institutionalized in many places!!. So miss me with your mocking of addicts in our communityâŠweâre actually suffering