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Published: November 8th, 2025 Written by Sydney Cox
*We recognize Basilinda is an international community. The information below is published from the United States. Due to the active censoring and erasing of official health data and resources for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, as well as our underrepresentation in data to begin with, I was not able to access a lot of information. If you live outside of the United States and have insights additional data and/or resources to add, please email basilindasubmissions@gmail.com or send us a message on instagram @basilindajournal. Please message us if you notice any discrepancies as well. We are a small team and will respond to your messages as soon as we can.
Why is understanding addiction important for the queer community?
Basilinda is committed to creating a safe, anti-racist, women-centered creative space for all individuals who are committed to dismantling systems of oppression—both internally and externally. Thus, it is important to understand how increased stress, trauma, and social pressures we face drastically increase the risk of developing the chronic, deadly health condition that is addiction.
Addiction is important to talk about now as it is becoming increasingly difficult to exist as our most authentic selves in spaces that do not accept us, our histories, and our cultures. According to information published by The National Institute on Drugs and Addiction (NIDA), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) from 2020 - 2024:
About 12% or 1 in 8 people in the United States had a substance use disorder (SUD) in 2020, but only 6.5% received treatment.
Over 32% of all individuals in the BIPOC community suffer from addiction, but only a little more than 6% get the needed treatment.
Black and Indigenous people in the United States had the highest rates of fatal overdose in 2021.
Asian American youth show lower rates of substance use compared to other racial/ethnic groups but are less likely to be screened for SUD.
Among the 134.3 million current alcohol users aged 12 or older in 2024, 57.9 million people (or 43.1%) were binge drinkers in one month alone.
Hispanics/Latino adults were 17% less likely than multiracial or white adults to have received mental health care within the previous year.
Over the last ten years, the rate of substance use disorder among Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples has increased by 50% and about 10.1% of Indigenous people are living with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
AAs/NHs/PIs with substance problems are unlikely to enter treatment unless treatment is triggered by the criminal justice system.
In addition to genetics and environmental concerns—the life experiences many of us share increase the likelihood of developing addictive behaviors and substance use disorders. This is because, when humans feel isolated, ashamed, and out of control, it is normal to seek safety, novelty, and familiarity in an unpredictable, lonely, hurtful world—especially one that actively seeks to erase the lived experiences of groups at-risk for marginalization. Under the current administration in the United States, everything feels out of control. This is dangerous because, for many of us, such “comfort” can be found in substance or non-substance based addictions.
Discrimination, harassment, and violence—especially against BIPOC, immigrant, and trans people—are on the rise. That means that these numbers are likely estimated to be much higher for QTPOC. Every time our cis, heteronormative, white society demands affected people code switch or “back off” when faced with microaggressions, it makes it difficult to engage authentically with ourselves and others. Over time, pieces of ourselves get chipped away. It is an erosion that is especially felt by folks who are at heightened risk of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender expression, and ability. That is why it is imperative to surround ourselves with people who “get it”— whether through engaging with journals like Basilinda or other spaces that place the health and wellbeing of our diverse communities above all else.
Basilinda believes that, in order to be such a space, leadership must—at a minimum—have a thorough, decolonized understanding of how addiction, one of the most stigmatized chronic diseases, kills people in the communities they serve. For us to even be seeking out such spaces, it is safe to say at least the majority of us already go through the world from a place of heightened anxiety, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem—all of which puts us at a higher risk of developing addictive behaviors. We might turn to substances, sex, strict diets, or people who are bad for us in an attempt to find safety—but it is a false sense of control, comfort, and understanding.
This risk is exacerbated by the lack of resources on addiction and mental health education for LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC people. While it is important to take accountability for our personal behaviors and inevitable mistakes, it is also important to remember that those who struggle are not the problem, the system that allows us to slip through cracks we did not create is the actual problem.
According to information published in the Research-to-Impact Brief by researchers at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago and The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
Out of 4.2 million people experiencing homelessness, up to 40% of them identify as LGBTQ+
LGB individuals are twice as likely to experience a mental health disorder, while transgender individuals are four times as likely.
Despite this, only 7% of addiction treatment programs offer specialized services for LGBTQ+ patients.
According to some old estimates (remember, our research is getting taken down), 30% of the LGBTQ+ community lives with addiction compared to 9%-12% of the general population.
The lack of systemic support for most affected groups as well as BIPOC and LGBTQ+ -specific research is unacceptable. That is why we must work together to understand how to approach this deadly chronic disease, especially for our most at-risk people. Especially as we lose more access to this data under the current administration.
Okay. I see this is important, but what is addiction exactly?
According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences.
Addiction does not happen from a lack of willpower or bad decision-making. Your brain chemistry changes with addiction. It is nothing to be ashamed about. Anyone who makes you feel ashamed for this disease is in the wrong.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, in addition to substance addictions, addiction can also include the following:
Gambling
Eating, exercising, and/or dieting (What are Eating Disorders?)
Shopping
Shoplifting or other risky behaviors
Having sex
Viewing pornography
Videogaming (What is internet gaming disorder?)
Using the internet, such as your phone or computer
According to CWC Recovery, signs of addiction include:
Being unable to stop consuming a substance or end a specific behavior
Displaying a lack of control concerning the substance, thing, or behavior they are addicted to
Experience increased desires for the specific substance, thing, or behavior
Denying that their addictive behavior may be causing negative consequences
Lacking healthy emotional responses
Behaviors are having a negative effect on their life, but they continue anyway
Like other chronic diseases, PREVENTION efforts are as successful as those for other chronic diseases. Prevention looks like:
Recognizing triggers
Talk about it (even if you aren’t ready to get help)
Ask for help when you are ready
Replacing shame with love
Substance-free events
Addiction education
Checking in with self and friends
Prioritizing connection over isolation, even if it is hard
Use de-stigmatizing language (Words Matter: Preferred Language)
Recognizing increased stress, trauma, and social pressures
If you feel that you or a friend is struggling with addiction, it is important to get help regardless of how “stuck” or “doomed” you feel you are. This is important because addictions frequently have consequences. While it may feel good in the moment, you are likely dealing with a lot of shame, fear, and isolation. This is not sustainable.
The Effects of Substance Abuse include:
Damaged relationships with ourselves and others largely due to communication breakdowns and lying, manipulation, as well as secrecy.
Depression and isolation due to stigma, shame, and the feeling that getting help is impossible (it’s not).
Financial strain
Psychological and physical abuse.
The individual struggling with addiction may become aggressive or violent while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, causing harm to their loved ones.
Safety concerns
They could also become susceptible to becoming the victim of assault/abuse if they are prioritizing their addiction over safety and self-love
For BIPOC people especially, risk of incarceration largely due to racism
Serious long-term health concerns such as stroke, cancer, heart disease, and death
Neglect and isolation
Self-harm and suicide
*Remember that these behaviors can be seen in non-substance addiction such as eating disorders, internet gaming disorders, and sex addictions—just to name a few—as well.
Oh, shit. Someone I know has an addiction. How do I support them?
When a friend shows signs of addiction, it can be hard to know what to do, when to step in, and how to approach the conversation. It is always best to approach people with curiosity, not accusations. You have to understand that recovery happens when someone wants to change. In other words, you can lead your friend to water, but you cannot force them to drink. That is largely what makes addiction so devastating for loved ones to witness. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, common concerns include:
Fear or mixed feelings about getting involved in someone else’s business. Just remember, addiction to alcohol or other drugs is a leading cause of death.
You believe someone else will say something. This is the bystander effect. It is important not to wait for someone to step up.
You may feel hurt by your friend’s past actions or behaviors. It is important to understand that, while poor and/or abusive behaviors should not be tolerated, addiction is a highly complex chronic health condition. It is important to take responsibility for your feelings, too.
When you notice a friend displaying the following behaviors*, it is a good time to step in:
Taking drugs or alcohol in larger and larger amounts or over a longer time
Seeing drugs or alcohol as a solution, not the problem
Being preoccupied with getting drugs or drinking alcohol
Stealing or selling their things to buy drugs or alcohol
Feeling anxious, grouchy, depressed
Withdrawing from contact with friends and family
Losing interest in school, work, or hobbies
Socializing with others who abuse drugs or drink to excess
Having mood swings
Having problems at work and at home
Having trouble with relationships
Taking part in dangerous behavior, such as driving while drunk or high-risk sex
*Remember that these behaviors can be seen in non-substance addiction such as eating disorders, internet gaming disorders, and sex addictions as well.
The following can help you talk with your friend:
Have strong boundaries and a support system for YOU
Don't try to talk when your friend is drunk, high, or engaging in addictive behaviors.
Meet in a quiet, neutral place. But not any location that could trigger cravings, the behavior, etc. For example, if your friend is showing signs of alcohol addiction, do not meet at a bar or anywhere where you two drank together.
Talk about the effect your friend's addiction has on whatever the person cares about most, such as career, friends, or children. Your friend may not be concerned about their own situation. But they may care deeply for their community and what the problem may be doing to them.
Be prepared for a variety of reactions, from sadness to anger. Think through how you will respond to each reaction, including exiting the situation if it gets out-of-hand. If it is helpful to have a third-party mediator, phone a supportive friend.
Be aware of treatment or recovery resources available in your community.
If your friend does not want to get help, talk with other people who know and care about your friend to see if they have other ideas.
Also consider getting support for yourself, such as Al-Anon or Nar-Anon. These are networks of support groups for family and friends of people with substance use disorders. There are more support groups for other non-substance addictions as well.
Oh, shit. I have an addiction. How do I support myself?
BE KIND TO YOURSELF. You are not alone. It is a huge step to recognize that you are struggling with an addiction or have struggled with an addiction in the past. It is shame that wants to keep you stuck in that—and it doesn’t have to. It’s important to admit you have a problem whether you are ready to get help or not. At the end of the day, you are in control of your steps from here. Once you have identified your struggles as addiction-based and, IF you are ready to get help, you can either find support groups for your specific addiction or reach out to a trusted person to help you. If you cannot find a counselor, social worker, therapist, or non-carceral community aid that you would feel safe seeing, many people offer virtual options and can meet with you across state lines depending on their licensure. Have a trusted friend or family member help you with this if you want to get better, but feel overwhelmed. No one should have to go through addiction alone. No one should be met with judgment when seeking help in good-faith. True friends will understand and want to help you. Please consult the BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and general addiction support resources below if you or a loved one have this disease.
BIPOC-Specific Addiction and Support Resources: (safe for queer BIPOC folk)
Directory of Providers: Asian American Psychological Association
Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American Therapist Network
Resources to support API (based out of CA, but great information)
LGBTQ+ -Specific Addiction and Support Resources:
General Addiction Resources:
Sources:
Published Nov 9, 2025