Comprehensive Report: Sexual Orientation and Methamphetamine Use in US

This report investigates the relationship between sexual orientation and methamphetamine use in the United States. It examines data from the NSDUH and TEDS, highlighting the prevalence of methamphetamine use across different sexual orientations. The report discusses the increased risk of substance abuse among individuals who identify as other than heterosexual, referencing studies that show disparities in drug use rates. It also explores the connection between obesity and methamphetamine use, as well as the impact of HIV status on drug abuse patterns. The report draws on various studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the issue, including the Chicago Crystal Prevention (CRYSP) project's findings, which emphasize the prevalence of methamphetamine use among gay males and the ease of access in certain communities. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for awareness and targeted interventions to address the health and drug abuse issues faced by sexual minorities.

Running Head: SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND METHAMPHETAMINE USE 1
Sexual Orientation and Methamphetamine Use
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SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND METHAMPHETAMINE USE 2
Sexual Orientation and Methamphetamine use
In the United States, Methamphetamine is the widest spread prohibited used stimulant.
Information from the NSDUH ( National Survey on Drug Use and Health) indicates that
Methamphetamine use appeals fairly across both sexes. Among the youth reporting in
monitoring the future, the sex orientation split across Methamphetamine abusers fairly with men
being 6.5% and women 5.7% who reported ever using the substance (Hunt, Kuck, & Truitt,
2006). Research from TEDS substantiates the at least equal split in terms of sexual orientation in
2003, where the report indicates 55% of Methamphetamine admissions being for males and 45%
being for females (Hunt, Kuck, & Truitt, 2006). This is different from gender split among users
of other substances.
In the past three decades, the rate of obesity has significantly increased among the US
population from approximately 15% to 34% which has led to an increase in associated health
consequences. Between 2007-2008, 75 percent of women aged above twenty years were
identified as overweight (25.0=<BMI<30) and obese (BMI>=30) and at risk of various related
condition (Sansone & Sansone, 2013). Prevalence of obesity is higher in some groups that are
attributed to race, area of residence as well as age. There are studies that have identified the
increased likelihood of obesity and overweight bisexuals and lesbian females in comparison to
their normal sexually oriented counterparts.
Obesity is an important public health issue among United States youths. Research
conducted in the past among white youth indicates that among the minority group’s females have
a significantly higher BMI and the sexual minority men have reduced body mass index in
comparison to their same-sex normal sexual oriented counterparts, with sexual orientation

SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND METHAMPHETAMINE USE 3
disparities among men rising in adolescence stages (Katz-Wise., et al 2014). In a research to
investigate the relationships between obesity and drug abuse, obesity and overweight were linked
with an increased risk for lifetime Methamphetamine and other substances dependence among
men(not women) however the BMI was however not associated with the illicit meth use
disorder (Sansone & Sansone, 2013). The report indicated the use of the drug was attributed to
lack of control towards food and substances as well as cravings among the obese population.
People who identify as other than heterosexual are at a higher risk for double health and
drug abuse issues in comparison to the sexual majority. In 2015, the NSDUH began a survey that
questioned respondents on their sexual orientation, one being the sexual attraction and about
sexual identity (Hatzenbuehler, Jun, Corliss, & Austin, 2015). The study indicated that
respondents in the sexual minority groups had increased or drug use than those in the sexual
majority. According to the findings, at least one man in every eight men among the respondents
reported of Methamphetamine use in the past one year. The same sequence was reported to be
similar among different states (Lyons, Pitts, & Grierson, 2013). The report, however, indicated
that Methamphetamine abuse was more prevalent among HIV positive patients at 24% in
comparison to HIV negative patient’s men at approximately 11%. The research concluded that
the use of Methamphetamine is evidently higher among homosexual males in comparison to the
rest of the population. According to reports done for Chicago Crystal Prevention (CRYSP)
project needs assessment of between 2007-2011, more than 60% gay males are using
Methamphetamine in Chicago and the use is prevalent due to the Methamphetamine ease of
access in the Northside communities, the sales were however conducted through the internet
(Hirshfield, Remien, & Ann, 2006).

SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND METHAMPHETAMINE USE 4
References
Hatzenbuehler, M. L., Jun, H. J., Corliss, H. L., & Austin, S. B. (2015). Structural stigma and
sexual orientation disparities in adolescent drug use. Addictive behaviors, 46, 14-18.
Hirshfield, S., Remien, R. H., & Ann Chiasson, M. (2006). Crystal methamphetamine use
among men who have sex with men: Results from two national online studies. Journal of
Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy, 10(3-4), 85-93.
Hunt, D. E., Kuck, S., & Truitt, L. (2006). Methamphetamine use: Lessons learned. Cambridge,
MA: Abt Associates.
Katz-Wise, S. L., Blood, E. A., Milliren, C. E., Calzo, J. P., Richmond, T. K., Gooding, H. C., &
Austin, S. B. (2014). Sexual orientation disparities in BMI among US adolescents and
young adults in three race/ethnicity groups. Journal of obesity, 2014
Lyons, A., Pitts, M., & Grierson, J. (2013). Methamphetamine use in a nationwide online sample
of older A Australian HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative gay men. Drug and alcohol
review, 32(6), 603-610.
Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2013). Obesity and substance misuse: is there a
relationship?. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 10(9-10), 30.