Stigma, homophobia, and heterosexism permeate the social, economic, legal, and political aspects of the members of the LGBT groups. As a result, this impacts the mental, emotional, and psychological states of individuals in these groups.

Prevention professionals who work with LGBT individuals need to be aware of, understand, and address specific LGBT issues before they can begin to address their patients' substance use and abuse issues.

Substance abuse treatment counselors may be the first adult in which a youth struggling with his/her sexual identity is able to confide.[Source]

It has been reported that only 11 percent of addiction counselors consider themselves to be knowledgeable of the issues specific to the LGBT populations. [Source]

Employers, education, and community health professionals should keep in mind that when conducting programs for the general population, about 10 percent of their audience are probably gay.[Source]