Resource Topics

Drugs & Alcohol

Studies have shown that gay guys, bi guys and trans people are more likely to use alcohol and drugs and have higher rates of addiction than the rest of the population. Stress, discrimination, homophobia, and violence can lead to drug and alcohol use in our community. Drugs and alcohol can cause a wide range of physical and mental health problems and can hurt our relationships, our jobs, and our financial stability. Using alcohol and drugs like crystal meth, poppers and heroin also puts gay guys, bi guys, and trans folks at higher risk for getting HIV and other STIs.

Fortunately, there are many local resources specifically for members of our LGBTQ community. Some lean toward quitting or not using at all. Others are harm reduction, which means using less, using less frequently, or taking other steps to minimize harmful effects of drug and alcohol use. There are also resources to help if you are facing drug possession charges.

Find local resources in

Find local resources in

Washington Recovery Helpline

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Consolidated 24-hour help line for substance abuse, problem gambling and mental health

Help lines & treatment resources

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Comprehensive resource list compiled by University of Washington Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute

Alcoholics Anonymous

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Seattle area

Crisis Connections – Call 211

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24-hour telephone-based crisis intervention, emotional support, information and referrals to community services for youth and adults in Seattle-King County

King County Drug Diversion Program

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Pre-adjudication program that provides eligible defendants the opportunity to receive drug treatment instead of prison or jail

Narcotics Anonymous

Site weare1 300x210 drugs alcohol na

Seattle area

Needle exchange in King County

Site weare1 300x210 drugs alcohol needle

Sterile syringes, abscess treatment and care, HIV/hepatitis testing, Hep A & B vaccine, vein care, naloxone distribution

Quitting crystal meth resources

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Crystal Meth Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from addiction to crystal meth.

Peer Seattle

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Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, plus support groups for several other topics related to mental health and relationships

Strength Over Speed (SOS)

Site weare1 300x210 drugs alcohol sos

Peer-to-Peer Crystal Meth recovery for gay men in Seattle

Point Defiance Needle Exchange

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Located in Tacoma, this needle exchange is a community program that provides injecting drug users the opportunity to exchange syringes one for one and guarantees safe disposal. Click here for dates, times, and location.

More Information

Abstinence or Quitting

Information about not using substances at all

Harm Reduction

Information about using substances less and other methods of reducing harm from substance use

  • Harm Reduction International

    Harm reduction refers to policies, programs and practices that aim to reduce the harms associated with the use of psychoactive drugs in people unable or unwilling to stop

Substance Abuse

Gay and Bi Men's Substance Abuse

Marijuana

What's legal, what's not, and studies of addiction and healing

Needle Exchange

Find out how needle exchange lowers harm from injection drug use

Overdose

Find out what to do in case of overdose

Alternative Recovery Support Groups

Secular addiction group therapy meetings that provide an alternative to the 12 Step model