Understanding Benzodiazepine Addiction in the LGBTQ Community

Understanding Benzodiazepine Addiction in the LGBTQ Community

Life as an LGBTQ person is generally complicated and unfair. This inequality is often due to their gender identity and sexual orientation in a cisheteronormative world, one that demands conformity at every instance. Socializing or day-to-day living becomes incredibly difficult as the stress of engaging with the world takes its toll physically, mentally and socially. One way we see the effects of systemic discrimination is in how rampant benzodiazepine addiction is in the LGBTQ community.

Although members of the LGBTQ community deal with the same issues (grief, rent, rising cost of essential goods and services) as their cis-hetero counterparts, they also contend with a world where legal and social barriers specifically target them. This year alone, policies and laws have been passed to repeal rights that LGBTQ people have gained in the past decades. So, it is no surprise that they often indulge in substance abuse to alleviate the pain.  

What are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos,” refer to a group of drugs used to treat a host of conditions, including involuntary muscle spasms, epilepsy fits, panic disorders, restless leg syndrome, etc. They are usually classified based on their strength and how long they last in the body upon ingestion. A few examples include;

• Clonazepam (e.g., Klonopin)
• Diazepam (e.g., Valium)
• Alprazolam (e.g., Xanax)
• Lorazepam (e.g., Ativan)
• Quazepam (e.g., Doral)

Benzodiazepines are controlled drugs, i.e., they can be considered illegal to possess, depending on what the law in your state says, without a doctor’s prescription. They are controlled because of their high potential for abuse, with severe consequences like overdose or death. As a result of how addictive benzodiazepines can be, they should not be suddenly stopped so as not to cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. 

One drug that shows just how dangerous benzos can be is flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, also known as “roofies”). It is an unapproved benzodiazepine called a “date rape drug” because it is sometimes used to spike drinks and cause short-term memory loss.

History of Benzodiazepine Use in The LGBTQ Community

Benzodiazepines were first invented in the 1960s, and their use in the LGBTQ community has reflected broader social dynamics. The intersections of stigma, barriers to mental healthcare, and systemic oppression have often influenced these dynamics.

Coping with Social Stigma  (1970s–1980s)

During this period, LGBTQ people faced widespread discrimination, criminalization, and isolation. Many turned to benzodiazepines to manage anxiety, depression, and the psychological toll of marginalization, often without access to affirming mental health care.

HIV/AIDS Crisis and Trauma (1980s–1990s)

As the AIDS epidemic devastated the LGBTQ community, benzos were frequently prescribed to help individuals cope with grief, survivor’s guilt, and trauma. Comprehensive mental healthcare was often inaccessible or deeply stigmatized, and many people turned to self-medicating to cope.

2000s: Overmedicalization and Underlying Mental Health Needs

As societal acceptance slowly increased, deeper conversations emerged about LGBTQ mental health. However, many clinicians continued to prescribe benzodiazepines without addressing root causes like trauma, identity suppression, or minority stress.

Today: Rising Awareness and Targeted Care

Today, benzodiazepine misuse remains a concern among LGBTQ people, especially in contexts of co-occurring disorders like PTSD and anxiety. However, there is increasing awareness of the need for LGBTQ-affirming mental health and substance use care. Treatment centers like Pride Detox are addressing the specific cultural and psychological needs of LGBTQ people.

Why Do Members of the LGBTQ Community Turn to Benzodiazepines?

Members of the LGBTQ community are faced with social, cultural, and legal barriers that make their daily lives difficult. Some struggle with internalized homophobia, some are worried about being outed, others are denied promotion at work, and many, if not all, are harassed, emotionally abused, and ostracized within their family or in their larger social communities.

Due to this systemic and social discrimination that members of the LGBTQ community face, they end up developing mental disorders (panic disorder and anxiety disorder, for example) that make them candidates for LGBTQ-affirming care, where benzodiazepines are administered.

Given the addictive potential of benzodiazepines, LGBTQ members should be informed about the signs of Xanax addiction. That way, they can promptly seek care from LGBTQ-affirming rehabs like Pride Detox.

Call For Help Today!

If you or someone you know is struggling with Benzo addiction, our LGBTQ benzodiazepine and Xanax detox center can provide the personalized care and support needed for successful recovery. Contact us at 1-866-465-6889 today to learn more and take the first step towards a drug-free life.