Is alcohol or drug use/abuse an issue amongst the gay community in your area?

Question

Since bars and night clubs are generally the only meeting places for gay men and women, do you think that booze or drugs is problematic? Has it affected you personally?

I guess you didn't read the question, Ashley.
And why are you adopting an attitude? It is relevant because I am gay, you are gay, and it is directed toward gay men. Is that good enough for you?

Answer 1

I think that alcohol and substance abuse is an issue in many queer communities and in many other communities as well. And because of meeting places being based in a pub or club where the alcohol is flowing and also that much of steriotypical and mainstream gay culture evolves around raves and dance, then substance use is a major factor in these cultures. What makes queer people abuse alcohol and substances can be any number of reasons: violence and homophobia in familial relationships and in the general community, low self esteem and also a "herd mentality". I cannot personally speak on behalf of the entire gay or queer community but, also it generally happens to be something that young people are "into".

Crystal meth is described as acutely 'moreish' by many users, leading to episodes of bingeing that may last several days where little or no sleep or food is had. It is perhaps for these reasons that crystal has become more popular among recreational party drug users including gay men since 1998. For many gay men crystal meth is, and remains, primarily a party drug associated with dancing and music scenes while for others it is strongly associated with sex.

In Australia several studies have noted the use of drugs for sex among Australian gay men. This includes the use of amphetamines, especially when injected, for 'hard' sexual practices that include anal intercourse, esoteric practices and multiple and extended sexual sessions, and the association the use of recreational drugs for sex with cultures of sexual adventurism and increased risk of HIV infection.

The recent shift in the gay drug market, coupled with a shifts in the contexts of drug use, conceivably effect gay community in certain ways. Crystal is often associated with sex rather than sociability, which often occurs in private not public spaces and is facilitated by the internet as a mechanism for meeting sexual partners. The troubled recent history of gay institutions such as Mardi Gras, dependent on civic values of participation, utilisation of public space, and the mass mobilisation of a certain sociability has a corollary in increasing crystal use.

Answer 2

This is what happens when we assume. If I were to go off an assumption, I would believe that straight people are the ones with drug and alcohol problems, as the only people in my entire life I've ever met with drug or drinking issues have been straight. I have several gay friends and none have issues with drinking or drugs. But I know better than to assume or judge a whole community based on a few encounters. Certain people have issues with drugs and alcohol, but I doubt it has anything to do with one's sexuality and more with other factors of life. Try not to assume...

Answer 3

I've heard the studies that it's a problem, but right now I'm still too young for the bar scene (for another 2 months). So, I will put out there that so far as I know, none of the people I know from my college group have any problems with that. There's at least one that may or may not have a problem with alcohol, but you'll find that everywhere on a college campus. I'm not denying that it's a problem, and I'm not denying that it's a problem in my own city, but I'm personally removed from the places where it is a problem.

Answer 4

I think its more of an intelligence or educational issue in the sense that a lot of people don't understand "gay" people.
They are persecuted. Religiously, socially etc. etc. etc. because of the lack of understanding. Drugs are the last resort after no one understands.
Best thing to do would be to move to a safer place I guess, with a larger gay community and then one wouldn't depend on drugs so much to excape persecution. Seattle, Olympia, Manhattan, San fransico.

Answer 5

Drug abuse is a form of perceived escapism, regardless of your sexuality, class, race, religious background or age, so why you put this in the gay section I do not know.

Being gay is a state of being, not a behaviour like drug-taking is.

Escapism does not depend on environmental factors in relation to its' perceived performance.

If 'gay meeting places' are limited to, in your opinion, to clubs only, your sphere of reference is sheltered. You've been lazy in assuming gay people only meet through the 'scene'. Two of my past boyfriends I met while volunteering for AIDS charities, I didn't meet them in a dark alley behind a club.

My ex overdosed on amphetamines in a LIBRARY studying for a psych exam, not in a nightclub or rave party. He used the drug to give himself an 'edge' not because he was gay.

Answer 6

Well, in my town, there isn't really a huge gay community, or at least they don't put themselves in the limelight too much. So as far as I know there is not a huge problem with drugs among the gay community.

Answer 7

drink and drugs are problematic in every walk of life not just the gay community, you don't have to be gay to be smashed out of your face.

Answer 8

It's amongst everybody that's feels the need to use it.

Answer 9

Very doubtful.

Answer 10

its kinda true, but not only, it can depend on the person, but i do not abuse, but i know many that do, it depends on many occassions