June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities, reflect on progress made, and be honest about the work still to do. For us at Wirral Ways, that honesty matters. Pride is not just a moment for rainbow branding. It is a reminder that some people face barriers to support that others simply do not, and that inclusive services can be the difference between someone getting help and suffering in silence.
This year, we will be at Wirral Pride in August. We want to be visible, accessible, and clear: whoever you are, you are welcome here.
The picture behind the statistics
The data on LGBTQ+ people and substance use is stark, and it is important to understand it in context.
Research from Stonewall found that 9% of LGBTQ+ people in Britain took drugs at least once a month over the course of a year, compared to 2.6% of non-LGBTQ+ people. One in six LGBT people said they drank alcohol almost every day over the last year, and one in eight LGBT people aged 18 to 24 took drugs at least once a month.
When it comes to alcohol specifically, the picture is also concerning. A 2021 NHS Digital report, drawing on a survey of over 58,000 people, found that LGB adults were more likely than heterosexual people to drink above the national guidelines of 14 units per week (32% compared to 24%), and consumed a higher mean number of units weekly (17.7 units compared to 12.7).
Mental health is deeply intertwined with this. Half of LGBT people said they had experienced depression in the last year. Almost half of trans people had thought about taking their own life in the same period.
These are not abstract numbers. They represent real people carrying real weight.
Why is substance use higher in LGBTQ+ communities?
It is important to be clear: being LGBTQ+ does not cause substance use problems. Being LGBTQ+ does not cause these problems. But some things LGBTQ+ people go through can affect their mental health, such as discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, social isolation, rejection, and difficult experiences of coming out.
Researchers refer to this as minority stress, the cumulative toll of living in a society that does not always treat you equally. Half of transgender respondents in one UK-based study said their substance use had been affected by stressors related to being transgender.
For many LGBTQ+ people, clubs and pubs have historically provided ‘safe’ spaces to meet others and feel accepted. The normalisation of alcohol and drug use in those environments, alongside the role they play in community and identity, can be a contributing factor in higher rates of use.
Add to this the reality that one in five LGBTQ+ individuals experienced a hate crime in the past year, and two in five transgender individuals were victims of a hate crime in the same period. Trauma, isolation, and fear are not neutral. They have consequences.
Barriers to getting support
Higher rates of substance use do not automatically translate into higher rates of people accessing treatment, and this is a critical gap.
According to the Stonewall Health report, 32% of transgender people and 13% of LGBTQ+ people have experienced unequal treatment from healthcare workers simply because they are LGBTQ+. When people expect to be judged or misunderstood by the very services meant to help them, many will simply not come forward.
Research has found that LGBTQ+ people in the UK face significant barriers to accessing substance use services, including fear of discrimination and stigma. When LGBTQ+ people do enter treatment services, they often present with more severe substance use disorders than their heterosexual counterparts, suggesting that many have been struggling longer before finally asking for help.
Research is clear that supportive and affirming care is vital to reducing those treatment barriers and promoting positive health outcomes. Small things matter: visible signs of inclusion, non-judgmental language, staff who understand, and services where you do not have to explain yourself before you can get support.
What we offer at Wirral Ways
At Wirral Ways, run by Change Grow Live, we support people with drug and alcohol use, as well as mental health and wellbeing. We believe the people who use our services come from a wide range of backgrounds, and we aim to celebrate that diversity and create an inclusive culture where everyone feels welcome.
If you are LGBTQ+ and worried about your drinking, drug use, or your mental health, you do not have to have it figured out before you contact us. You do not have to be at rock bottom. You just have to reach out.
We will not judge you. We will listen, and we will help you work out the right next steps for you.
Come and find us at Wirral Pride
We are looking forward to being part of Wirral Pride this August. Come and say hello. Pick up information. Have a chat with our team. You do not need to be in crisis to talk to us.
Pride is about community. So are we.
Last Updated on 9 June 2026