“Numb the pain, numb the pain”…are the same words the openly gay R&B artist sang in reference to his days dark places where he abused drugs to help cope with the stigma of being gay in the music industry. Just like Frank Ocean, millions of other LBGT individuals continue to present themselves as heterosexual instead of “coming out” to feel accepted in society. The result is to find a solution that will help temporarily counteract the stress, pain and challenges they experience through drug abuse. According to Jordan (2000), “all adolescents may use substances because of peer pressure, a desire to experience something new, seeking independence from parents, or for pleasure. This article will explore the reasons why gay men and lesbians abuse substances, their drug use: where they used them, and drug choices among gay men and lesbians. Furthermore, the reader will discover the effects that drugs have on the LBGT population and solutions on how to help the population change their behaviors. Many researchers believe that rates of substance use are higher among gay men and lesbians than in the general population... particularly when used as a recreational drug or club drug; on weekends and at night” (McDowell 2000 p. 37). Reasons There are countless stories you might hear if you asked an addict “how did he start using drugs?” The three main reasons you may hear why gay men and lesbians conform to drugs are: 1) being stigmatized by society, or “a powerful force” (Cabaj 1999 p.19). As previously mentioned, having to present yourself as heterosexual just to be accepted by society plays a large role in the standard stages that the LBGT population goes through. For example, the “coming out process,” when a gay man or lesbian is asked to describe their process… in the middle of a document… the problems they might face by preparing beforehand. Works Cited Cabaj, R. (1999). Substance abuse, internalized homophobia, and gay and lesbian men: Psychodynamic issues and clinical implications. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy, 1p.5.Eliason, M., & Hughes, T. (2004). Therapeutic counselor attitudes toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients: Urban and rural contexts. Substance use and abuse, 625-644. Jordan, K. (2000). Substance abuse among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender adolescents and questions. School Psychology Review, 6p.McDowell, D. (2000). Gay men, lesbians and substance abuse and the “club and circuit party scene”. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy, 37-57.Weber, G. (2008). Using to numb pain: Substance use and abuse among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Mental Health Counseling Journal, 31-48.