In your role working in an outpatient alcohol and other drug treatment service, you have noticed that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people and Indigenous Australians have different patterns of use of substances compared to the general population. You think that they may also have specific treatment needs. Your supervisor has asked you to write a report on this population to identify and critically evaluate how their patterns of substance use and associated harms differ to the general population. They have also asked you to identify barriers and any specific or ‘best-practice’ treatment recommendations for your chosen population.
You have been asked to choose one of these population groups, and investigate:
- How is their alcohol and drug use patterns different to that of the general population?
- What are some of the reasons for these differences?
- What are the unique risks or harms; and the barriers to treatment?
- What can be done to improve treatment for this population group?