Research suggests that LGBTQ adults have higher rates of substance use and mental health issues, compared to their heterosexual cisgender peers.  These health disparities are often related to minority stress—the chronic psychological and emotional strain that people experience due to being part of a marginalized social group. For example, some LGBTQ folks may use alcohol and drugs to cope with internalized homophobia or to self-medicate for anxiety and depression. On the other hand, some people use drugs in the context of social settings and connecting with others in their community. Since not all substance use is unhealthy, how do providers know how to identify when substance use is problematic?  And what can physicians do to best support their patients who may be at greater risk for harm or even overdose? 

On this episode, Antonio Urbina, MD, Medical Director for CEI’s HIV Primary Care and Prevention Center of Excellence, speaks with Eric Kutscher, MD, MSc. Dr. Eric Kutscher is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine, where he practices as a primary care and addiction medicine physician at Mount Sinai's Internal Medicine Associates and REACH Program. He currently serves as the Medical Director of the Mount Sinai Hospital Opioid Overdose Prevention Program and Primary Care Lead for the Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery. His clinical work and research focus on harm reduction techniques for patients with substance use disorders, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Drs. Urbina and Kutscher talk about how providers can identify when substance use is a problem and how to help patients manage substance use disorder, including treatment options and harm reduction strategies.  Related Content: