Are Specialized LGBT Program Components Helpful for Gay and Bisexual Men in Substance Abuse Treatment?

Abstract

In the New York metropolitan area, a convenience sample of 187 men previously treated in substance abuse programs between 2000 and 2006 completed questionnaires regarding their reported outcomes, completion rates, and perceptions of treatment. The sample included 81 gay and bisexual ("gay/bisexual") men in "traditional" programs (with no specialized groups for gay/bisexual clients), 51 gay/bisexual men in "LGBT specialized treatment" (programs with specialized groups for gay/bisexual clients), and 55 heterosexual men. In bivariate and multivariate analyses, heterosexual men and gay/bisexual men in LGBT specialized treatment had more favorable results than did gay/bisexual men in traditional programs, suggesting the effectiveness of LGBT program components.