Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Independent Research Consultant, UK.
Int J Drug Policy. 2022 Nov;109:103859. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103859. Epub 2022 Sep 24.
People who identify as LGBTQ+ are more likely to drink excessively compared to heterosexual and cisgender people. Perceived barriers to accessing alcohol services may further increase the potential for alcohol related harm for LGBTQ+ people. This qualitative study explores the experiences of LGBTQ+ people who have used alcohol services, including peer support groups, in Scotland and their suggestions for how alcohol services could be improved.
Participants were recruited using social media adverts, dating websites, organisations that work with LGBTQ+ clients and snowball sampling. Participants' (n = 14) experiences of alcohol services and peer support groups were explored through semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using the Framework Approach and thematic analysis.
Many participants thought their drinking was closely associated with their LGBTQ+ identity, as a response to shame, stigma, or family rejection. Some service users had positive experiences of alcohol services. However, participants were rarely asked about their sexuality / gender identity and some reported a lack of discussion about how identity might impact drinking. There were common views across the sample that barriers experienced by others in the LGBTQ+ community were amplified for trans people. Service users recommended that services need to signal LGBTQ+ inclusivity and provide a safe space to discuss multiple issues (e.g., alcohol use, mental health, gender identity). Participants highlighted the importance of alcohol-free spaces in the LGBTQ+ communities.
The study has clear practice and policy implications. Alcohol services should provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ people and clearly indicate that. Service providers should be trained to discuss potential connections between LGBTQ+ identity and substance use. At a broader level, alcohol-free social spaces would help reduce alcohol-related harm in LGBTQ+ communities.
与异性恋和顺性别者相比，认同 LGBTQ+的人更有可能过度饮酒。人们认为获得酒精服务存在障碍，这可能进一步增加 LGBTQ+人群酒精相关伤害的风险。本定性研究探讨了在苏格兰使用酒精服务（包括同伴支持小组）的 LGBTQ+人群的经验，以及他们对如何改进酒精服务的建议。
通过社交媒体广告、约会网站、为 LGBTQ+客户服务的组织和滚雪球抽样招募参与者。通过半结构化访谈探讨参与者（n=14）对酒精服务和同伴支持小组的体验。使用框架方法和主题分析对数据进行分析。
许多参与者认为他们的饮酒与他们的 LGBTQ+身份密切相关，这是对羞耻、污名或家庭拒绝的反应。一些服务使用者对酒精服务有积极的体验。然而，参与者很少被问及他们的性取向/性别认同，一些人报告说缺乏关于身份如何影响饮酒的讨论。样本中普遍认为，LGBTQ+群体中其他人经历的障碍在跨性别者中更为突出。服务使用者建议服务需要发出对 LGBTQ+包容的信号，并提供一个安全的空间来讨论多个问题（例如，饮酒、心理健康、性别认同）。参与者强调了 LGBTQ+社区中无酒精空间的重要性。
该研究具有明确的实践和政策意义。酒精服务应为 LGBTQ+人群提供一个安全的空间，并明确表示这一点。服务提供者应接受培训，以讨论 LGBTQ+身份与物质使用之间可能存在的联系。在更广泛的层面上，无酒精社交空间将有助于减少 LGBTQ+社区中的酒精相关伤害。
