Join us on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 7 pm!
Why is the LGBTQIA+ community at a greater risk for Substance Use Disorder? Adults defined as “sexual minorities” are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to have used any illicit drug.¹ Social stigma, discrimination, and other challenges can lead to stress and treatment barriers that put this population at risk for addiction and other behavioral health challenges.
On June 14, 2023 we had a conversation with treatment specialists and those with lived experience to increase our awareness and understanding, and to explore treatment options and learn how we can support recovery. Thank you to our presenters: Jordan Pearce, MA, LAC, NCC (they/them), Liv Houser, MA (she/her) and Matt (he/him).
¹Medley G, Lipari R, Bose J, Cribb D, Kroutil L, McHenry G. Sexual Orientation and Estimates of Adult Substance Use and Mental Health: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. NSDUH Data Review. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/se…. Published October 2016.
Meet the Presenters & Panelists who have spoken on our LGBTQIA+ programs.

Katie Greeley, LCSW (she/her)
Founder and Senior Prevention Consultant
Prevention Education Solutions
Helpful Resources
The Trevor ProjectPride Institute
LGBTQ Groups in Philadelphia
Coming Out: A Handbook for LGBTQ Young People
Parenting a Gender-Diverse Child: Hard Questions Answered
Gender-Diverse & Transgender Children
Pennsylvania Society of Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Communities (PS-SAIGE)
The Flying Gender Unicorn
LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County
Eastern PA Trans Equity Project
Stand With Trans
SAGA Community Center
Philadelphia Family Pride
The Attic Youth Center
William Way LGBT Community Center
PFLAG – Family and Ally Organization.
LGBTQIA+ Glossary of Terms
Crystal Meth Anonymous
Crystal City is a documentary available on Amazon Prime. Please be advised that there are graphic scenes which could be triggering for people in recovery.
Treatment Resources
CharlieHealth
Polaris Teen Center
Visions Adolescent Treatment Center
Center for Families
Newport Academy
Ethos Treatment, LLC
Sanare Today
Caron’s LGBTQ Affirming Services Center
Inspire Better Life
Research
Substance Use Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning Adolescents in the United States, 2015
Sexual orientation and adolescent substance use: a meta-analysis and methodological review
The Relationship Between Discrimination and Substance Use Disorders Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the United States
Sexual Orientation and Estimates of Adult Substance Use and Mental Health: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Following up on the June 21, 2022 Program
21% of GenZ’ers (10 to 25 year olds) identify as LGBTQIA+, indicating a positive shift in societal norms.
However, social stigma, discrimination, and other challenges still exist, and can lead to stress and treatment barriers that put this population at risk for addiction and other behavioral health challenges.
On June 21, 2022, Be a Part of the Conversation hosted a panel of treatment specialists and those with lived experience to increase our awareness and understanding, and to explore treatment options and learn how we can foster resilience and support recovery.
This program was funded by the Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services.
