Bisexual individuals are people who experience attraction to both men and women. This orientation is different from being gay, lesbian, heterosexual, pansexual, queer, asexual, or polyamorous. Some research suggests that bisexual individuals may have an increased risk for substance abuse compared to their peers of other sexual orientations.
This idea has been challenged in several studies. To understand the social contexts most strongly predicting substance use among bisexuals, it's necessary to look at three main factors: gender identification, relationship dynamics, and environmental influences.
Gender Identification
A person's self-conception of their gender identity can influence their substance use behaviors. Some bisexuals may identify as male, some as female, others as nonbinary or transgender. The majority of those who identify as male tend to use alcohol more frequently than their female counterparts, while females tend to use marijuana more often than males. Bisexual women also report higher rates of using alcohol, cigarettes, prescription drugs, and stimulants such as cocaine than heterosexual women. These findings suggest that gender identity could be one factor influencing substance use patterns among bisexuals.
Relationship Dynamics
Relationships are important to many people, including bisexual individuals. Research shows that bisexuals are less likely to be married than either homosexuals or heterosexuals, but they do form romantic partnerships at similar rates. In relationships, bisexual men appear to drink alcohol more heavily and use illicit drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines (meth) more than straight men. Bisexual women are not known to have different drug use habits from straight women, although bisexuality is associated with an increased risk for intimate partner violence. A key determinant of substance use may be how much social support a person receives in the context of their relationship(s).
Environmental Influences
Environmental influences matter greatly when it comes to substance use. Living in an urban area, having low socioeconomic status, experiencing discrimination or bullying based on sexual orientation, or growing up in a household where parents used drugs can all predict greater substance abuse among bisexuals. One study found that bisexual youth who were rejected by their families due to their sexual orientation had twice the odds of becoming dependent on substances compared to those who felt accepted. This suggests that family dynamics play a role in determining substance use among bisexuals.
There are three main factors that influence substance use among bisexuals: gender identification, relationship dynamics, and environmental influences. More research is needed to better understand these effects on behavior.
What social contexts most strongly predict substance use among bisexual individuals?
The social contexts that are most likely to influence substance use among bisexual individuals include interpersonal relationships, social norms, sexual orientation identity development, community support systems, and cultural attitudes towards bisexuality. Interpersonal Relationships: Bisexual individuals may be more vulnerable to substance abuse due to experiencing discrimination and isolation from both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ communities.