It’s not surprising that the transgender community disproportionately experiences anxiety, depression, and even chemical dependency. Trans individuals report feelings of confusion and low self-esteem while also dealing with discrimination, misunderstanding, harassment, and exclusion. To combat the addiction epidemic and highlight Pride Month, we’re shining a light on recovery in the transgender community.
The Transgender Community and Substance Abuse
Trans individuals face certain challenges in life, including stigmas and discrimination, and many are left to self-medicate. What might surprise you is how many of them actually battle substance abuse on a daily basis – an estimated 20-30% of the entire community.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), roughly 16% of the whole LGBTQ community meets the criteria for needing substance abuse treatment, compared to just 8% of the general U.S. population.
In another study, researchers discovered that school-aged transgender individuals were two times as likely to use amphetamines or cocaine as people who identify as cisgender. Their risk of abusing inhalants is also three times higher.
In a 2024 study of 23 LGBTQ+ individuals who experienced opioid use disorder (OUD) or substance use disorder (SUD), researchers found that around 90% had participated in 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). In addition, more than half (56.5%) had gone to outpatient treatment while 52.2% had enrolled in an inpatient program.
Many rehab centers offer specialized substance abuse treatment programs for LGBTQ folks, yet these are not as widespread as other programs, which can leave clients searching for the help they need.
Is There a Disconnect Among the Trans Community?
“Addressing health-related issues that affect the LGBTQ community is not really taught in medical school or in residencies. Sometimes all you get are two hours of training and that’s it,” says Eric Yarbrough M.D., Director of Psychiatry at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York City.
Even though doctors will admit they lack the training and understanding, they’re just a small piece of the drug-treatment puzzle. Clients interact daily with a large number of staff member, from doctors to cooks to behavioral health techs, and often have to adhere to rules that weren’t designed with them in mind.
Most of the time, these rules include living with people of your gender, which deters a large number of trans people from going the inpatient route. “Though a rehab employee said they would place me with residents of my gender identity, I knew I would feel just as unsafe living pre-T with cis men, as I would feel dysphoric, dishonest, and resentful living with women,” Milo Scanlon says of his own experience.
Peer-Based Recovery Groups and Other Resources
Support groups like Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous (GaL-AA) and Gay & Sober are specially designed for the LGBTQ+ community and can give everyone a sense of freedom. Attendance isn’t forced, you sleep where you feel safe, and you can find your tribe. LGBTQ community centers and recovery clubhouses around the country offer these groups free of charge.
They’re not for everyone, but even 12-step fellowships have specific meetings for specific groups, like meetings for lesbians, older gay men, trans men, women with alcohol problems, and other populations. Nationally, resources you can turn to include The Pride Institute and the National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Addiction Professionals (NALGAP).
The important thing to remember, although cliché, is that it gets better. Finding your sober identity while facing your substance use challenges may feel like an impossible task, but many who’ve come before you have been there, done that and every one of them wants to see you shine in recovery, too.
In addition to peer-based support groups, there are other addiction recovery resources available to specifically support transgender clients. When researching a new facility, check to see if they offer dedicated programs for this population and if any of their staff members are trained to support members of the LGBTQ+ community. Help is available, and recovery is possible. We’re here to help you take that first step!
