Sexual orientation related to opioid abuse – details inside

Washington DC: According to a recent study, sexual orientation has been identified as a risk factor for misuse of opioids. Led by researchers at the NYU School of Medicine, the study was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The findings suggest that men and women who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual are more likely to abuse opioids than those who identify as heterosexual.

The study estimates that 5% of adults who identify as heterosexual in the United States have abused opioids in the past year, while this figure rises to 9% among people who identify as gay or lesbian. lesbians and 12% among those identified as such. bisexual. And in the past month, 1% of people who identify as heterosexuals have used opioids, while 4% of people who identify as heterosexuals have used opioids.

The study relies on data from 42,802 people involved in the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The study participants were asked about their sexual orientation and any misuse of opioids over the past year, as well as about the use of opioids prescribed during the month and the year. elapsed. Misuse has been classified as using the drug without prescription, in larger or longer amounts than recommended, or against the recommendation of a physician.

According to researchers, previous studies have shown that those who identify as gay or bisexual are more likely to use drugs and to contract addiction-related illnesses, such as alcoholism and alcohol consumption. Other drugs.

Among the main findings of the study, it was found that women identified as bisexual were twice as likely to abuse opioids as individuals with a different sexual orientation.

"Our study points out that sexual minority adults – especially women identified as bisexual – are at increased risk of opioid misuse," said lead author of the study, Joseph J. Palamar. "With the national opioid crisis, it is important to focus on preventing abuse among the most exposed groups."

The researchers believe that the underlying cause of opioid abuse in bisexual women might be their need for a coping mechanism with the stress and stigma that arise from the fact of To be not only a minority within a largely heterosexual culture, but also within the lesbian and gay community. In order to address the growing problem of opioid abuse in these groups, researchers advocate the development of more educational programs to help prevent the use and abuse of drugs.

"Primary care providers, educators and even parents need to consider sexual orientation when assessing people at risk for opioid abuse," said Dustin T. Duncan. , lead author of the study. "We must not only consider sexual orientation as a risk factor, but also monitor these groups more closely once they have been identified."