Understanding Substance Use and Suicide Risk Among LGBTQ+ College Students Post‐COVID‐19

Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling 2026 Open access

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Authors: Afroze N. Shaikh, Jordan B. Westcott, Brittney Irion, Jackie Yang, Illiana Navarra-Bueno, Hannah Martinson, Noah Diaz
DOI: 10.1002/jaoc.70011
Cited by: 0
References: 41

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examines the reported frequency of substance use, levels of suicide risk, and their relationships among LGBTQ+ college students ( N = 192) following the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants most commonly reported alcohol and marijuana use, and least commonly reported unprescribed prescription opioid or heroin use. Additionally, roughly half of the participants met clinical cutoff scores for suicide behavior. Substance use frequency was not significantly associated with proximal suicide risk factors, regardless of substance type; however, suicide behavior scores were significantly positively associated with frequency of tobacco, marijuana, and recreational drug use. Implications for addictions counselors are discussed.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Suicide and Self-Harm Studies LGBTQ Health Identity and Policy Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling
Volume
47
Issue
1
Pages
38–47
Publication date
15 January 2026
Language
EN