Being LGBTQ+ does not cause substance use. Rather, specific differences – mostly consequences of prejudice – weaken adolescents’ support system and increase the pressure for them to use alcohol and other drugs. Understanding these differences is crucial for helping LGBTQ+ teens grow up healthy, happy and substance-free. 

Young people in Cortland County who are LGBTQ+ are more likely than their non-LGBTQ peers to use alcohol and other drugs. LGBTQ+ teens whose families take affirming actions such as talking openly with a teen about their LGBTQ+ identity, inviting the teen’s LGBTQ+ friends to join family activities, bringing the teen to LGBTQ+ events and appreciating clothing or hairstyle choices that might not be gender-typical are less likely to have problems with alcohol and other drugs. 

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) teens are more likely to be bullied, experience depressive symptoms, adverse childhood experiences, and suicidal ideation and are less likely to have an adult in their family with whom they can turn. So, it’s no surprise that they are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs. Teens’ risk of substance use depends in part on whether their friends use drugs and alcohol. For most LGBTQ+ teens, LGBTQ+ friends are a crucial source of support. However, in some cases, this means connecting with peers who are more likely to be using drugs or alcohol. This is particularly likely if teens meet an older crowd through LGBTQ groups, or if they visit settings like bars or clubs where substance use is more common. 

Young people in Cortland County who are LGBTQ+ are more likely than their non-LGBTQ+ peers to use alcohol and other drugs. Parents and caregivers should actively discuss substance use with their teens, setting clear expectations that they will not drink or use drugs. While “harm reduction” messages can be useful in certain contexts, such as college health programs, research indicates that consistent disapproval of underage substance use is the most effective parental message for reducing teens’ drinking and drug use. 

Teens’ risk of substance use depends in part on whether their friends use drugs and alcohol. For most LGBTQ+ teens, LGBTQ+ friends are a crucial source of support. However, in some cases, this means connecting with peers who are more likely to be using drugs or alcohol. This is particularly likely if teens meet an older crowd through LGBTQ groups, or if they visit settings like bars or clubs where substance use is more common. 

More and more LGBTQ+ teens are growing up in families and communities that celebrate their sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. Sadly, it’s still common for LGBTQ+ teens to be rejected by their families, harassed by their peers, and demeaned in the media. When a person experiences hardship because of a socially stigmatize identify like being LGBTQ+, psychologists call it “minority stress.”