Transgender individuals face social prejudice on a daily basis.
The Williams Institute estimates that over 1.3 million adults in the U.S. identify as transgender, with an increasing number of young people also identifying as transgender.
To survive, around 40% of transgender people in the U.S. participate in the underground economy, including work in the sex trade, drug trade, and other criminal activities.
The transgender community experiences significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicide, and self-harm compared to the heterosexual population.
To cope, many transgender individuals turn to substances like cigarettes, alcohol, prescription opioids, and illicit drugs, leading to high rates of comorbidity.
What Is Comorbidity?
Comorbidity, or dual diagnosis, occurs when a person has both a substance use disorder and a mental health issue.
There is a strong link between substance abuse and mental health disorders. Family rejection can severely impact mental health; a 2015 survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) found that 40% of transgender respondents had families that were either neutral or unsupportive of their sexual orientation.
Stigmatization and discrimination can damage self-esteem, often resulting in depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, and self-harm.
Substance abuse can worsen mental health issues, creating a cycle of addiction and emotional harm.
Treating comorbidity is complex and requires accurate diagnosis for medication-assisted treatment to be effective. Multiple mental health and substance use disorders can complicate treatment, making comprehensive care essential.
Transgender Substance Abuse Statistics
Precise statistics on substance abuse within the transgender community are limited, though
research suggests that transgender individuals are more likely than non-transgender individuals to seek treatment, indicating a willingness to pursue help if accessible care is available.
Accurate data remains challenging to gather due to the marginalization of transgender individuals, who may also be less likely to register to vote. Discrimination and stigmatization often push transgender people to the edges of society, where they may engage in underground work and lack access to healthcare.
The 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health primarily focuses on lesbian, gay, and bisexual responses, without detailed data on transgender substance use.
The 2020 U.S. Transgender Survey, initially planned to provide updated insights, was postponed. The most recent data from the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, which surveyed 28,000 transgender individuals, highlighted several key findings:
- 25% of transgender individuals reported regular marijuana use, compared to 8% of the general population.
- 7% used prescription drugs not prescribed to them, in contrast to 2% of the general population.
- 29% reported using illicit drugs in the previous month, compared to 10% of the overall U.S. population.
Illicit Drugs
Although detailed data on specific substance use was not included in the U.S. Transgender Survey, responses indicate higher rates of methamphetamine, heroin, crack, cocaine, LSD, and inhalant abuse among transgender individuals than in the general population.
The Transgender Community & The Opioid Crisis
Addressing opioid use among transgender individuals is crucial in combating the opioid epidemic, especially as synthetic opioids like fentanyl continue to flood the market.
The high prevalence of emotional trauma within the transgender community contributes to increased opioid use.
Due to complex mental health needs, transgender individuals require specialized psychiatric and medication-assisted treatment. In one study, 11.8% of 297 transgender girls and women reported lifetime nonmedical prescription opioid use.
Challenges such as homelessness, violence, incarceration, family rejection, poverty, and unemployment often drive transgender individuals toward substances like opioids as a means of coping.
MAT Treatment for Transgender Individuals
The complex emotional needs of transgender individuals may be effectively addressed through
medication-assisted treatment (MAT) at specialized centers like Sunrise Recovery. This approach combines medication with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to enhance recovery outcomes.
Additionally, individual and group therapy sessions, along with peer support groups, can help address the mental health challenges faced by transgender individuals.
Family therapy can also play a vital role, fostering a more empathetic attitude within families with transgender members.
A Call to Action
For effective change, communities across the U.S. need to show greater compassion toward transgender individuals. Acceptance, empathy, and kindness significantly impact those struggling with self-esteem and substance use disorders. Being supportive and nonjudgmental can make a meaningful difference.
Embracing transgender individuals as valued members of society can help alleviate the crisis.
If you’re facing any of the issues discussed here, remember you’re not alone. Sunrise Recovery is a dedicated
drug and alcohol rehab center in Indiana to help individuals overcome substance use. Reach out to their compassionate team at
+1 (877) 978 – 6747 to take the first step toward recovery.
