A study done by Benotsch, Zimmerman, Cather, Mcnulty, Pierce, Hack, Perrin, and Snipes (2013) looked at non-medical use of prescription drugs in transgender adults. Drug use in minority communities is an issue that frequently gets swept under the rug. But these researchers have shined a light on some of the reasons for drug use in this specific community. The transgender community is another subject that in the past has not been talked about, but now with trans issues being highlighted in the media more people are adding their voices and experiences to the conversation.
If you don’t already know, someone that is transgender is a person “whose gender identity, gender expression, or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth” (APA).
This study recruited 155 transgender adults in the Mid-Atlantic region and asked them to fill out surveys. The surveys looked at non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD), other substance use, psychosocial factors, and other things. Results from the study showed that “26.5% of the sample reported lifetime NMUPD” (Benotsch et al. 2013, pg.392). Also that subject who reported that use also reported use of recreational drugs, like some that have been discussed on this blog recently. Then in regards to psychosocial variables, people reported more symptoms of “depression, anxiety, and somatic distress. Meaning that a portion of the respondents qualified as a probable mental health concern.
The researchers mentioned in their discussion that NMUPD in their sample might be an “attempt to cope with emotional distress” (Benotsch et al. 2013) There is a history of discrimination, violence, and even murder for transgender individuals, which could lead to the emotional distress. This study was important because it was one of the first studies that looks at the relationship between non-medical use of prescription drugs, HIV status, substance use, and psychiatric symptoms but as always more research needs to be done.
The impact of this research on the transgender community and all of our communities as a whole is massive. Looking into the reasons for specific drugs use in specific communities helps us to see how issues like discrimination can affect a group. Possibly helping people outside of that groups especially interested scholars to voice opinions of acceptance and the ending of hate. As a community of people that are always willing to learn and accept new information and we need to do what it takes to pass it on and help make the world a better place. More research into the mental health of minority groups and their coping skills can help break the stereotypes that follow them everywhere.
After reading about this article and hopefully looking into the journal article itself, what is your opinion about non-medical prescription drug use in the transgender community? What kind of interventions do you think could help give better coping skills? 
It's also important to note that November 20th was the Trans Day of Remembrance where we take the time to honor the people whose lives were ended due to anti-transgender violence.
Benotsch, E. G., Zimmerman, R., Cathers, L., McNulty, S., Pierce, J., Heck, T., … Snipes, D. (2013). Non-medical use of prescription drugs, polysubstance use, and mental health in transgender adults. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 132(1–2), 391–394. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.02.027
Interesting post uncovering and highlighting the none-medical prescription drugs affecting minority group. I think current policies are not adequate to keep people out of the drugs and keep communities safe. Lawmaker need to revisit their policies regarding drug use and the policy need to be general. Making more and more people abuse this drug because of it prohibition. If these drugs were not prohibited, people could treat it the way they treat other alcoholic beverages. People buy beer, whiskey, wine and other alcoholic beverages and use it responsibly and those non-medical prescript should be free and people could use it in reasonable time.
ReplyDeleteI find it crazy that anyone would actually use pills for a non-medication purpose. I have actually seen trans-gendered individuals before and some of them are clearly using drugs that they should not be using. I like how you broke down your material in detail to help readers understand. I think this is a very necessary post according to your topic. Trans-gendered individuals are not the only people misuse drugs though. Drugs are missed used every day, and they can potentially hurt someone significantly in long run. I enjoyed reading this post and I am looking forward to your last one.
ReplyDeleteClearly there is a strong link between oppression and marginalization and drug abuse. I think interventions to help transgender populations cope with stress better should start in the work place, where transgenders likely have to hide their orientation/identity. There should be work place policies that emphasize inclusion, and tolerance, not just in the statement but in every day practices. Additionally transgender people should be made to feel more "normal" and less like outcasts or freaks. This should start at an early age in public schools with education and awareness as well as anti-bullying campaigns. Beyond those strategies, transgender people should have access to support groups to aid them in coping with hostility from society and the Transgender Day of Remembrance is a great step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised that of the non-prescription drug use. Oppression easily can lead to cascading drug use. The stress/depression/anxiety that a transgender faces is overwhelming. Transgenders brave one of life’s hardest challenges –acceptance. The topic of transgenders is gradually coming out of the shadows of the public and I hope that that resolutions will soon be acted on to reduce the psychological stress that this population faces. The most influential factor that I believe affects this population is how they are perceived by society. If society would become more accepting and less judgmental of others, this population would not experience as much oppression. Parents and school systems need to teach children more openly. It is so important for society to teach children never to judge others who are different than them because of how they were born or for who they chose to be. This population should be able access counselors or therapists in school systems. Our “social norm” should not just be “black and white”.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting article. I read recently that trans people, especially as an adolescent, are among the groups most likely to kill themselves. So it stands to reason that drug abuse could be rampant as a coping mechanism. Especially as the adolescent continues into adulthood -- that's a lot of hardship in a very small window of life. I wish some of these other commenters were a little less moralistic and tried some empathy.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know anything at all about what transgender people are like or the kinds of things they deal with everyday. But I don't think that what they do can be an easy thing to go through. So I think that people who are doing transgender and don't have the kind of family or social support they need to deal with the issues and problems that come up in the process might use drugs as a way to help them cope with the stress and confusion. It's not a healthy way to do this, and I think that more attention should be given to these people so that the ones who aren't lucky and don't have a lot of good people around them have somewhere else to go besides using drugs.
ReplyDeleteIt has become a serious issue in our society where people abuse prescription drugs. It is not only an issue among transgender (which I did not know about) but among college students in general. I see your point, and here is another point to emphasize the prevalence. College kinds abuse drugs used for ADD and ADHD commonly. Sometimes for recreational purposes and often to succeed in exams. In a way that is cheating but more than that it is wrong. wrong because it harms the chemical makeup of their nervous system. Drugs like Adderall and Vyvanse and Ritalin are made up of amphetamine derivatives. If you actually have a medical reason to take such drugs then its one thing but, otherwise why abuse your own body and mind?
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