Substance Use Treatment Experiences of Transgender/Transsexual Men and Women

Abstract

Substance use treatment programs may not be sensitive to transgender/transsexual (trans) issues; thus, the needs of drug/alcohol involved trans men and women may go unmet. Data for this research was collected from a study examining the substance use issues of trans men and women. Confidential, self-administered questionnaires were distributed to trans men and women with current or previous problem (self-assessed) with drugs or alcohol. Trans individuals reported various problems with discrimination that may limit their ability to recover. Overall, there were significant barriers to recovery expressed by the study participants. Treatment and self-help programs need to make their programs more inclusive to trans men and women as the negative experiences experienced by them will likely affect their recovery.