https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9622-4652
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Abstract
Background: The objectives of this study were to: (1) estimate the prevalence of family history of alcohol and other drug (AOD) misuse (positive family history [FH+]) in first- and second-degree relatives across sexual identity subgroups (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual); (2) compare AOD misuse among offspring of sexual minority and heterosexual parents; and (3) examine the relationships between FH+ and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other drug use disorder (ODUD) across sexual identity subgroups. Methods: Data were from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (n = 36,309 non-institutionalized U.S. adults aged ≥ 18 years). Data collection occurred in households using structured diagnostic face-to-face interviews during 2012–2013. Results: The presence of FH+ in first- and second-degree relatives was most prevalent among bisexual women relative to all other sexual orientation subgroups. Multivariable regression analyses indicated that the odds of AUD and ODUD were higher among FH+ adults relative to negative family history (FH-) adults. Lesbian and bisexual women had higher odds of AUD compared to heterosexual women, controlling for any FH+; this sexual identity difference was not found for men. There were no significant differences in ODUD between heterosexual FH- men and gay FH- men. We found differences in AOD misuse among offspring of bisexual parents, but not gay or lesbian parents compared to heterosexual parents. Conclusions: Health professionals should consider the higher likelihood of a family history of AOD misuse among sexual minorities, especially bisexual women, when treating these individuals. The lack of differences in AOD misuse among offspring of gay or lesbian parents relative to heterosexual parents warrants attention for legal, policy, and clinical decisions.
Acknowledgement
The authors would also like to thank Kathryn Lundquist, ABA, for her assistance with proofreading and formatting the manuscript. Mrs. Lundquist is affiliated with the University of Michigan Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health and has no conflicts of interest to report.
Author contributions
SM and PV conceptualized the project. SM led the investigation, established the methodology, managed the project, and prepared the original draft. LK and VM provided clinical expertise. CE, PV, and BW curated data and CE coded data. CE, PV, and BW provided formal analysis. SM and CB were responsible for acquiring funding. All authors provided critical feedback, contributed to the writing of the manuscript, and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Disclosure statement
The manuscript has been reviewed and approved by all authors. No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views or policy of the funding sources. The authors have no financial conflicts of interest to report.