Suffolk Pride urges people struggling with substance abuse to reach out for support
A survey by Drinkaware revealed 70% of LGBTQ+ drinkers engage in binge drinking
Suffolk Pride tell us they want people who are struggling with substance abuse to reach out for support.
It's as a survey from Drinkaware revealed that LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to suffer with substance abuse involving alcohol.
The results showed:
- "70% of LGBTQ+ drinkers engage in binge drinking, compared to 62 per cent of non-LGBTQ+ adult drinkers in the UK."
- "LGBTQ+ drinkers are more likely to report drinking alone at home in the last 12 months than non-LGBTQ+ drinkers (63 per cent vs 57 per cent)."
- "Adults from LGBTQ+ communities are more likely to seek support for their drinking."
Kate's Story
Kate Lancaster (she/her) from Suffolk Pride told us she thinks a lot of people in the community are struggling because of "the negative pressure" they face, whether that's "societal pressures, home pressures, what (they) see in people who are in power and how they treat (their) community."
She went onto say that for many "there is a sense of escapism in substance abuse."
Kate shared her own experience with substance abuse with us, wanting to make it clear she does not encourage this behaviour.
For her, it started when she was just over 18 years old.
She had " many issues with anxiety and depression" which meant she faced a lot of "suicidal ideation" whilst also struggling with her identity.
She would use cocaine and alcohol as a way to escape those thoughts and feelings: "The sense of knowing you're putting yourself in harm's way feeds the escapism and the sense of escapism.
"I think it's not talked about as often that substance abuse can be taken as a form of self harm."
Thankfully Kate was able to get support for her depression and anxiety pretty quickly and was able to "nip it in the bud".
Because of this she understands what it is like for others to go through these experiences and feels sharing her story will help others to feel less alone and encourage them to get help.
She commented that one thing that helps is having more options available now, which "helps people with their decision to go sober."
For example, a non-alcoholic beer so you don't feel people will ask "Oh what are you drinking?"
She goes on to say that at Suffolk Pride, they host a wide range of events that are not "formed around alcohol" so that people don't feel pressured to drink: "We try and reduce that, so people are actually with the community and forming bonds, rather than escaping with the use of substances."
Getting Support
Kate is encouraging anyone who may be struggling to get help as "support is necessary" when starting "your journey in rehabilitation or just self healing".
She suggests reaching out to your support network whether that be "family, close friends, chosen family or local resources that are available to you".
If you need support
Support for substance abuse can be found at the following:
Antidote - Run by the LGBTQ+ community, Antidote offer an online alcohol and drug drop-in clinic via Zoom. They also operate a helpline and offer peer support and advice.
Galop - Galop provides the LGBTQ+ community with alcohol peer support, as well as drugs and domestic abuse support, legal advice, and counselling services.
Gay and Sober - LGBTQ+ sober meetings around the UK are regularly featured on this site for anyone with alcohol-related problems seeking a safe way to connect as a community.
The LGBT Foundation - The LGBT Foundation offers a range of national services from advice on alcohol recovery to peer support groups and operates a helpline.