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Social Workers

Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

20.00 - CE credit hours training

$125.00 - Cost of course

This page contains important information about the course, including training details, a comprehensive course description, learning objectives, and source references. We encourage you to review each section to gain a clear understanding of the course content, educational goals, and supporting materials before beginning your training and taking the POST TEST below.

Target audience and instructional level of this course: foundational
There is no known conflict of interest or commercial support related to this CE program.

Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

Follow the link below, read the material and then take the 60 question post test

Read the Course Material:
Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

60 Questions

1. Although LGBT persons use and abuse alcohol and all types of drugs, certain drugs seem to be more popular in the LGBT community than in the majority community. Studies have found that gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM) are significantly more likely to have used marijuana, psychedelics, hallucinogens, stimulants, sedatives, cocaine, barbiturates, and MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and are much more likely to have used "poppers" (Woody et al., 1999; Stall & Wiley, 1988).
2. Abuse of methamphetamine has decreased dramatically in recent years among some segments of the LGBT community.
3. HIV and hepatitis C infections are linked with methamphetamine use and can lead to significant dependence and addiction. Some LGBT methamphetamine users inject the drug, putting them at risk for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
4. Heterosexuality is the attraction to persons of the opposite sex; homosexuality, to persons of the same sex; and bisexuality, to both sexes.
5. Homosexual individuals are those who conform to the gender role expectations of the opposite sex or those who may clearly identify their gender as the opposite of their biological sex. The term homosexual usually refers to people in the transsexual group that may include people who are contemplating or preparing for sexual reassignment.
6. Homosexuality was considered a mental illness until 1973 when the American Psychiatric Association dropped the classification of homosexuality as a mental illness. It is now considered a normal variation of human sexual and emotional expression, allowing, it is hoped, a non pathological and non prejudicial view of the LGBT community.
7. Providers may be helpful to a client if they remember these multilayered, and sometimes opposing, influences on the client. For the LGBT person from an ethnic or racial minority, coping with one's sexual orientation takes place amid a tangle of cultural traditions, values, and norms.
8. The term "coming out" refers to the experiences all, gay men and lesbians as they explore their sexual identity. There is only 1correct process or single way to come out and all LGBT people come out eventually.
9. A client who is uncomfortable with his or her sexual identity will want to attend LGBT Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and will want to discuss feelings about sexual orientation.
10. A provider may do harm if he or she forces openness by questioning a client's sexuality before the client is ready. As with many decisions, a provider can best serve his or her clients by assuming little and gauging the best form of care for reducing the client's fears and anxiety.
11. Family dynamics are important in working with LGBT individuals, and counselors can put their understanding of these dynamics to work in counseling LGBT clients and their families.
12. LGBT people may be victims of antigay violence and hate crimes such as verbal and physical attacks. Some victims may turn to alcohol or drug use. It is important that substance abuse counselors obtain training and education about interpersonal violence and stigmatized client populations.
13. Fewer Heterosexual than lesbian women abstain from alcohol; rates of reported alcohol problems are higher for heterosexual women than for lesbian; and drinking, heavy drinking, and problem drinking show less decline with age among heterosexual women than among lesbians.
14. The traumas experienced by some lesbians may affect their behavior and emotional state. One study reported that 21 percent of lesbians were sexually abused as children and 15 percent were abused as adults (Bradford, Ryan & Rothblum, 1994).
15. The number of gay coffee shops, bookstores, and activities that do not involve alcohol and drug use is increasing, but gay bars and parties that focus on alcohol and drug use are still very visible elements of gay social life.
16. It is important that both the clinician and the client understand that hormone therapies can affect mood, especially when taken improperly. Transgender clients may face an additional risk from using "street" or "black market" hormones. Because testosterone must be injected, obtaining or using needles may be relapse triggers for clients in early recovery.
17. LGBT youth use alcohol and drugs for many of the same reasons as their heterosexual peers: to experiment and assert their independence, to relieve tension, to increase feelings of self-esteem and adequacy, and to self-medicate for underlying depression or other mood disorders. LGBT youth, however, may be more vulnerable as a result of the need to hide their sexual identity and the ensuing social isolation.
18. Many people who abuse substances have co-occurring mental health disorders, such as affective disorders, eating disorders, or other psychiatric illnesses. Substance abuse clouds good judgment and contributes to dangerous behaviors that can lead to illness, such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), hepatitis, and injuries.
19. One study showed a 10-percent HIV prevalence rate among male-to-female (MTF) transgender individuals and a 35-percent HIV prevalence rate among African- American MTF transgender individuals. Both MTF and FTM (female-to-male) transgender individuals do not encounter risks related to taking hormones.
20. A counselor should respect the client and his or her frame of reference; recognize the importance of cooperation and collaboration with the client; maintain professional objectivity; recognize the need for flexibility and be willing to adjust strategies in accordance with client characteristics.
21. Liquid X, a white crystalline powder that is soluble in water and alcohol, is a dissociative anesthetic, a synthetic drug that produces hallucinations, analgesia, and amnesia and can cause euphoria. Users can experience impaired thought processes, confusion, dizziness, impaired motor coordination, and slurred speech.
22. Every person with a homosexual or bisexual orientation, as indicated by his or her fantasies, engages in homosexual behavior. Sexual behavior alone defines orientation. A personal awareness of having a sexual orientation that is exclusively heterosexual is the way a person identifies herself or himself as an LGBT person.
23. Transvestites identify themselves as having a gender identity different from their biological sex or gender role. Transvestites wear clothes usually worn by people of the opposite biological sex.
24. Although Gender Identity Disorder is listed as a mental illness, most clinicians do not consider individuals who are confused or conflicted about their biological gender and their personal sense of their gender identity to be mentally ill.
25. Substance abuse treatment providers may use their understanding of the client and the client's cultural context to develop a culturally appropriate assessment, identify problems, and choose appropriate treatment strategies for the client. A culturally competent model of treatment acknowledges the client's cultural strengths, values, and experiences while encouraging behavioral and attitudinal change
26. Sexual identity is the personal and unique way that a person perceives his or her own
27. The irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against LGBT behavior or persons is known as:
28. Internalized homophobia describes the self-loathing or resistance to accepting an LGBT sexual orientation and is an important concept in understanding:
29. Some LGBT individuals may resort to substance abuse to cope with
30. Programs can safeguard information about clients' substance abuse histories and sexual orientation status by:
31. The process of coming out include various stages and a few of these include:
32. Issues in substance abuse treatment for transgender clients include:
33. Evidence suggests that transgender individuals have a higher rate of exposure to violence and discrimination compared to:
34. Cases involving transgender individuals illustrate the need for staff to ask:
35. LGBT youth may use alcohol and drugs to deal with problems such as:
36. Many lesbians have had heterosexual contacts and are at risk for both:
37. A provider who understands and is sensitive to the issues surrounding sexual and gender identity, homophobia, and heterosexism can help:
38. Amphetamines and methamphetamine have a:
39. Amphetamines and methamphetamine use can cause:
40. Some HIV-positive individuals appear to be self-medicating for depression or specific HIV-related symptoms by using methamphetamine because it:
41. The vast majority of transvestites are:
42. Prejudice and discrimination against LGBT individuals is formed, in part, by misinformation such as:
43. Examples of heterosexism in the substance abuse treatment setting include:
44. Treatment services that are culturally responsive are characterized by which of the following:
45. Culturally competent systems:
46. Interpreting behavior without considering its cultural context can lead to:
47. Key concepts in cultural competency include:
48. Interpretations of touches, gestures, and eye contacts are part of:
49. LGBT individuals have a creative vocabulary on the subject of sexual orientation because they may often use:
50. LGBT African Americas, American Indians and Hispanic Americans are all part of the:
51. Substance abuse treatment providers need to be aware that LGBT persons do not fit the prevalent stereotype of well-dressed, middle-class urban dwellers; drag queens; or masculinely dressed females. LGBT people live and work in all segments of society. They are from every minority, cultural, racial, and ethnic group.
52. Although some urban centers have populations that are more accepting of LGBT lifestyles than others, and thus are magnets for LGBT persons, LGBT people live in rural, urban, and suburban areas and in every State. LGBT clients can ask for substance abuse treatment services anywhere in the country and not only in large urban areas.
53. The number of LGBT individuals in American Indian and Alaska Native communities is not definitely known, although it is believed to resemble the parameters of the dominant population. From self-reports and the small amount of research findings available, American Indians and Alaska Natives in gay or lesbian relationships report a higher degree of bisexuality than do their Caucasian counterparts.
54. In treating African American clients, the family is the cornerstone. The support network consists of the family and a host of other individuals who may or may not be related. For new immigrants, the stress of learning a new language, new cultural norms and behavior, and the sense of loss from leaving family and other loved ones behind can be overwhelming.
55. Using nonscientific, nontechnical terms and descriptions applicable to the client's cultural background (Mexican, Colombian, Puerto Rican, etc.) is not recommended.
56. A professional and respectful physical contact, such as shaking hands at every greeting, helps create a safe space for the client. Maintaining eye contact denotes attention and understanding.
57. In most areas of the country, LGBT individuals have no legal protection against discrimination in employment, housing, or access to social services. Protections fought for and won by women, racial minorities, and individuals with disabilities simply are not available for LGBT persons. Disclosure of sexual orientation can lead to an individual's being fired or being denied access to housing and social services&ndashall with legal impunity. LGBT individuals may even lose custody of their children if their sexual orientation becomes known during a custody dispute.
58. The confidentiality regulations permit disclosure without the client's consent in several situations such as:
59. The program must always obtain the minor's consent for disclosures and cannot rely on:
60. Almost all States now have laws protecting information about:

Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

This publication presents information to assist providers in improving substance abuse treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-gender (LGBT) clients by raising awareness about the issues unique to LGBT clients. Sensitizing providers to these unique issues will, it is hoped, result in more effective treatment and improved treatment outcomes. Effective treatment with any population should be sensitive and culturally competent. Substance abuse treatment providers, counselors, therapists, administrators, and facility directors can be more effective in treating LGBT clients when they have a better understanding of the issues LGBT clients face. With this knowledge, treatment providers can reexamine their treatment approaches and take steps to accommodate LGBT clients.

Studies indicate that, when compared with the general population, LGBT people are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, have higher rates of substance abuse, are less likely to abstain from use, and are more likely to continue heavy drinking into later life.

  • Describe the epidemiology of substance abuse among the LGBT population
  • Identify the types of substances abused
  • Define key terms
  • Identify characteristics of LGBT individuals
  • Recognize the differences in LGBT life experiences may shape the substance abuse issues
  • Summerize the life cycle issues for LGBT individuals
  • Identify treatment issues that are unique to different ethnic groups
  • Describe how cross-cultural issues affect substance abuse treatment
  • Apply knowledge from this course to practice and/or other professional contexts.
US Dept. of Health and Human Services