2020 LGBTQ+ Specific Substance Use Services Survey: A Study on the Availability and Perceived Helpfulness of Treatment Programs

Health disparities researchers have identified elevated rates of difficulties among gender and sexual minorities (GSM). In addition to a higher rate of general mental health issues, there is also a higher prevalence rate of substance misuse among GSM individuals when compared to the general population. Specific issues, such as stigma and oppression faced by GSMs, might have a direct linkage with the higher prevalence rate and might also impact treatment outcomes. To understand the specific factors that lead to substance misuse, as well as to understand the unique patterns of treatment-seeking and adherence among GSM clients, the development and dissemination of GSM-specific treatment programs are needed. In 2007, Cochran, Peavy, and Robohm conducted a study of treatment programs who indicated that they provided specialized services for gay and lesbian clients; however, phone calls to these agencies revealed that over 70% of these agencies actually did not provide services that were different from the agencies\u27 general services. Given the progress and development in the last decade regarding awareness of GSM rights, the proposed study aims to gain a renewed understanding of the current state of GSM-specific treatment using a similar methodology. Additionally, GSM clients’ initial contact experience with treatment agencies might influence their willingness for future treatment entry and adherence. Therefore, the experience of the initial contact is also examined in the current study. This study provides a snapshot summary regarding specialized substance treatment programs available to GSM individuals in the United States in 2020. Our goal is to understand if there have been any improvements and updates of actual specialized programs available to gender and sexual minority clients from when the last, most similar study was conducted, approximately 17 years ago. This study also focuses on understanding the initial-contact experience when a potential GSM client initiates treatment seeking. By asking questions regarding the specificity and scope of services treatment agencies defined as a specialized program, the current study will hopefully contribute to the collective effort of operationalizing and standardizing the term “LGBTQ-specific treatment