Understanding substance use across the full spectrum of sexual identity

A study led by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine reveals higher rates of substance use among all non-heterosexual groups in the U.S., including people who are uncertain of or who use different terms to describe their sexual identity. The analysis was based on the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the first nationally representative dataset to include sexual identity options beyond lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual, and the first to ask respondents ages 12–17 about their sexual identity.