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A study by researchers from the CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH) and colleagues finds that sexual and gender minority people who use methamphetamine face significant barriers to substance use care, including stigma in healthcare settings and a shortage of LGBTQ+-affirming treatment options.
The article, published in Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, draws on in-depth interviews with 29 participants from across the United States. Participants described using methamphetamine for managing emotional distress, improving focus or productivity, and enhancing sexual experiences, emphasizing the need for care that addresses people’s full mental, physical, and social health needs.
Stigma was a consistent concern. Participants said judgment from providers could discourage honesty about drug use, delay engagement with treatment, and make people reluctant to seek emergency care. Many also emphasized the importance of harm-reduction approaches and LGBTQ+-affirming spaces where they could feel understood and supported.
The findings also point to the importance of individualized recovery options. While some participants found community and support in peer recovery groups, others said group settings could be triggering or reconnect them with active drug-use networks.
“Our findings show that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting LGBTQ+ people who use methamphetamine,” says first author Conley Combs, former research assistant at CUNY ISPH. “Reducing stigma and expanding compassionate, LGBTQ+-affirming options could help more people seek and stay connected to the support they need.”
