Consumption of psychoactive products and sexual identity
Objective To analyze the differences in the use of alcohol and illicit drugs according to sexual orientation among men and women. Methods L’Enquête Presse Gays et Lesbiennes 2011 is a self-administered cross-sectional survey of volunteers responding to a questionnaire available on gay and lesbian websites. Respondents aged 18 years or over, living in France, who have had sexual intercourse in their lifetime were selected for this analysis. Alcohol consumption is measured by the frequency of use in the last twelve months, the number of drinks each day and the consumption of six or more drinks on the same occasion. Use of cannabis, ecstasy or cocaine is measured by consumption once or more in the last twelve months. Sexual orientation is measured by two indicators: self-identification and sex of partners. Self-identification as “bisexual” or “gay/lesbian” is reported by 2 675 women and 8 725 men, sex of partners during lifetime for 2 747 women and 9 001 men and sex of the partners in the last twelve months for 2 871 women and 8 974 men. Results While significant differences in socio-demographic and sexual history were observed for self-identification, substance use varied less by self-identification than by sex of partners, for both women and men. Respondents who had partners of both sexes reported higher levels of alcohol and drug use. Elements of lifestyle, psychological distress and discrimination did not explain observed differences in substance use by sex of partners. Conclusion Understanding what underlies these differences in consumption remains a major public health concern.