LGBTQ Addiction & Recovery Ireland
Irish studies have shown that members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community show higher substance misuse rates compared to the general population. More.
Elevated feelings of guilt, shame and doubt are all products of the social stigma, discrimination and humiliating behaviour the LGBTQ community face and battle with daily.
It’s these high levels of stress that can be particularly harmful to their mental health and push them towards alcohol and drug misuse.
Raising Awareness on LGBTQ+ and Addiction
20-30% of the LGBTQ+ population are affected by substance misuse disorders compared to 8.4% of the general population – Substance Misuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Here at Smarmore Castle, we are well aware that feelings of shame and guilt can destroy your life and lead you down a path of self-destruction. Let us be the hand that guides you back. If you are struggling with substance misuse or alcohol addiction.
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Challenges faced
People identifying as LGBTQ undoubtedly encounter many more challenges than those identifying as heterosexual. Even during addiction recovery, LGBTQ individual will need to overcome several additional obstacles on their road to recovery.
In addition to dealing with homophobia in society, LGBTQ individuals are at a greater risk of harassment, scrutiny, bullying and violence, and it’s these stressors that increase the risk of various behavioural issues and disorders.
This increased level of stress stems from discrimination as well as the perceived discrimination they might face, as well as internalised homophobia, which is a direct result of what the LGBTQ+ individuals experience from society.
Following a study by SAMHSA it was discovered:
Adults identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual have higher rates of mental illness compared to people who identify as heterosexual
- Members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to seek treatment for their substance use disorders
- 1% of lesbians, gays or bisexuals used illicit drugs in comparison to 17.1% of heterosexuals
- 1% were found to have reported a substance misuse disorder
“Irish research has shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, particularly younger people, are at greater risk of experiencing mental health problems than the general population.” Lyons, Suzi
Alcohol, drugs and substance misuse amongst the LGBTQ+ community
As members of this community face many more obstacles and challenges, there has been a call for treatments and services to adapt to their needs and provide them with a safe and understandable place for recovery.
As members of the community grow up, their internalised homophobia can cause extreme low self-esteem and even self-hate as they struggle to accept their own sexuality.
This can then act as a trigger for drug and alcohol misuse, and individuals self-medicate to manage their feelings, as it can provide a short escape from negative thoughts.
But as addiction specialists, we know that these fearful feelings of shame and self-loathing have the potential to heighten and become worse the more you become addicted.
One of the challenges we face as therapists is discovering which issue came first: drug and alcohol misuse or mental illness. This can be especially difficult, as we know that alcohol and many recreational drugs can contribute to mental disorders like addiction, and mental illnesses tend to feed off of each other.
Whatever the cause, we know addiction is a vicious downward spiral, which can be very hard to break free from without the right support or medical assistance.
‘Drug of choice’ amongst gay, bisexual and transgender young adults in Ireland
Alcohol dependency
Ever-present in the lives of many individuals, alcohol has become something of a pressing issue amongst LGBTQ individuals in respect of the issue of addiction.
The simple reason for this is that social life within much of the LGBTQ+ community revolves around venues and locations, where drinking alcohol is the social norm.
The pressure on individuals to drink, often to excess, to fit into the party scene of gay clubs and bars, means that many people find themselves addicted without even fully realising that they have a dependency on alcohol.
Drugs misuse
Similar to alcohol misuse, drug misuse is also common within the community for many reasons.
Common substances include:
- Marijuana/Cannabis
- Stimulants and hallucinogens
- Cocaine, crystal meth, methadone & GHB
- Sedatives and tranquillisers
GHB
GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyrate, is a central nervous system depressant. It slows brain activity, producing feelings of relaxation, euphoria and lowered inhibitions. It typically comes as a clear, odourless liquid with a salty or bitter taste, and is usually swallowed.
It is particularly prevalent in LGBTQ+ social spaces. This is where the line between recreational use and dependence can blur quickly. Research consistently shows higher rates of GHB use among gay and bisexual men compared to the general population.
Part of what makes GHB so dangerous is how little separates a recreational dose from an overdose. The drug’s strength can vary significantly between batches, and mixing it with alcohol, which is common in nightlife settings, sharply increases the risk of losing consciousness. Overdoses can result in seizures, cardiac arrest and death. If you suspect someone has overdosed on GHB, call 999 immediately.
Dependence can develop faster than many people expect. Regular users often find themselves dosing every few hours to prevent withdrawal, which can begin within hours of the last dose and become severe very quickly. GHB withdrawal can include confusion, hallucinations, seizures and cardiac complications. It should never be managed alone. Medical supervision is essential.
For members of the LGBTQ+ community, the social context of use matters. GHB is sometimes used to manage anxiety in social situations, to feel more sexually uninhibited, or simply because it is part of the culture of certain spaces. Understanding why someone is using it is as important as addressing the use itself.
At Smarmore Castle, we treat GHB dependence within a programme that is sensitive to the specific pressures LGBTQ+ individuals face. Medically supervised detox is available for those who need it, and our therapists work with each person to understand the underlying factors driving their use, not just the substance itself.
GHB is one of several drugs, alongside methamphetamine and mephedrone, that are used during chemsex. Chemsex refers to the use of drugs to facilitate or enhance sexual activity. It has been most widely documented among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, though people across a range of gender identities and sexual orientations may have chemsex-related experiences and benefit from support.
In Ireland, awareness of chemsex has grown significantly in recent years, particularly in Dublin, where sexual health services and community organisations have begun to respond to the specific needs of those affected. Despite this, many people still find it difficult to access care that feels genuinely non-judgemental and understands the full picture of their experience.
For many people, chemsex is bound up with complex feelings around identity, intimacy, belonging and coping. GHB is often used in these settings because of its disinhibiting and relaxing effects, but those same qualities also make it particularly risky. The gap between a recreational dose and a harmful one is narrow, and that risk can escalate quickly during a session. When GHB is combined with other substances and taken repeatedly over a number of hours, the chance of overdose increases significantly. This is sometimes referred to as a “G overdose” or “going under” and requires immediate medical attention by calling 112 or 999.
Chemsex sessions can last for days. Use can gradually escalate, and the interplay between sexual identity, stigma, mental health and substance use can make change feel complicated and overwhelming. It can also make it harder to recognise when things have shifted from a choice to a problem, or to feel confident reaching out for help without fear of judgement.
At Smarmore Castle, we understand that context. Our team works with each person to understand what is driving their use, not just the substance itself. If you are finding it difficult to stop using GHB, residential treatment can provide a safe environment for medically supervised detox alongside psychological support that addresses both physical dependence and the underlying factors contributing to your use.
LGBTQ treatment centres
For decades, we have seen how difficult it has been for anyone to seek treatment for their mental health problems and addictions as a result of the prejudice and stigma surrounding rehab and addiction.
For LGBTQ+ people facing homophobic or transphobic discrimination, finding the right help or support can seem an impossible task.
We’ve seen how many healthcare professionals in Ireland are not experienced or even trained in supporting this community and providing specific healthcare services to treat their unique cases of addiction.
Specific healthcare can be provided through charities, other organisations or the NHS (HSE), which can provide free help in the form of therapy and group workshops.
However, here at Smarmore Castle, we are a private healthcare provider, who employs the best psychiatrists and medical staff to help you achieve the best chance at long-lasting recovery.
Our addiction treatment programmes identify triggers and provide coping techniques to help you reintegrate back into social settings safely.
