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Delivering LGBT-sensitive substance use treatment to sexual minority women
Mericle, A. A., de Guzman, R., Hemberg, J., Yette, E., Drabble, L., & Trocki, K. (2018). Delivering LGBT-sensitive substance use treatment to sexual minority women. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, (4). https://doi.org/10.1080/10538720.2018.1512435
Epidemiologic studies have consistently found elevated rates of alcohol and other substance use among sexual minority women (SMW), and despite calls for "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)-specific" services and culturally tailored interventions, few such services exist. This study involved qualitative interviews with directors from substance use treatment programs (N=10) about how they addressed the needs of SMW. Strategies implemented primarily focused on creating a safe and welcoming environment for sexual minority clients. Findings highlight challenges involved in meeting the treatment needs of SMW and provide guidance to researchers and service providers on how to improve the quality of care for them.