Substance use disorders (SUDs) and behavioral addictions, including gambling disorder, problematic internet use, sex addiction, and binge eating disorder, continue to pose significant public health challenges worldwide. These issues are particularly relevant for sexual and racial minorities who face unique challenges and risk factors. Access to appropriate treatment and support services remains extremely limited for the LGBTIQA+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex, queer, asexual, and questioning) as well as racial minorities. Systemic discrimination, social marginalization, and barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare services exacerbate the prevalence and severity of addictive disorders in these vulnerable populations.
Despite the critical need for targeted research and interventions, there remains a substantial gap in the literature addressing the specific needs and experiences of sexual and racial minorities. This Research Topic encourages researchers to explore the multifaceted aspects and barriers to treatment for SUDs and behavioral addictions. We invite papers that explore unique needs, factors influencing addiction, discrimination, stigma, and lack of culturally competent care as significant barriers that hinder treatment engagement and retention.
We encourage interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies including original research articles, reviews, and case studies that focus on the assessment, treatment, and management of addictive disorders. By highlighting culturally competent assessment, we seek to advance our understanding and improve the care provided to these underserved populations.
Suggested Themes for papers (may include, but are not limited to):
• Epidemiological studies: Studies on the prevalence and patterns of addictive disorders (such as substance use disorders, gambling disorder, internet addiction, sex addiction, and binge eating disorder, ). Analysis of risk and protective factors and impact of psychosocial factors (including trauma, discrimination, and social support).
• Mental Health and Co-occurring Disorders: studies on the prevalence and treatment of comorbidity with mental health disorders (such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, etc) and the need for integrated treatment approaches.
• Innovative Treatment Approaches: Evaluation of innovative treatment modalities tailored to the LGBTIQA+ community and racial minorities and tailored interventions. This may include culturally competent care, harm reduction strategies, peer support programs, and digital health interventions.
• Barriers to Care and Health Disparities: Investigation into the barriers and the impact of systemic discrimination on treatment outcomes – including perceived and experienced stigma within both clinical and community settings and its implications for treatment engagement and retention.
• Cultural Competency: development and implementation of culturally tailored treatment models and studies exploring the prevalence and patterns of addictive disorders across racial backgrounds.
• Innovative Assessment and Treatment Tools: development and validation of assessment tools (such as app-based or AI-based tools) that are sensitive to the cultural contexts of racial and sexual minorities. Use of technology and digital health interventions (Including digital therapeutics and telehealth interventions) to improve assessment and treatment outcomes.
• Policy and Advocacy: Analysis of policies that impact addictive disorders among sexual minorities and across different cultures. Advocacy efforts to promote equity in treatment and prevention.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, and case studies that contribute to advancing our understanding and improving care for these underserved populations.
Keywords:
minority, sexual minority, substance use, assessment, management, LGBT, LGBTQ+
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Substance use disorders (SUDs) and behavioral addictions, including gambling disorder, problematic internet use, sex addiction, and binge eating disorder, continue to pose significant public health challenges worldwide. These issues are particularly relevant for sexual and racial minorities who face unique challenges and risk factors. Access to appropriate treatment and support services remains extremely limited for the LGBTIQA+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex, queer, asexual, and questioning) as well as racial minorities. Systemic discrimination, social marginalization, and barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare services exacerbate the prevalence and severity of addictive disorders in these vulnerable populations.
Despite the critical need for targeted research and interventions, there remains a substantial gap in the literature addressing the specific needs and experiences of sexual and racial minorities. This Research Topic encourages researchers to explore the multifaceted aspects and barriers to treatment for SUDs and behavioral addictions. We invite papers that explore unique needs, factors influencing addiction, discrimination, stigma, and lack of culturally competent care as significant barriers that hinder treatment engagement and retention.
We encourage interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies including original research articles, reviews, and case studies that focus on the assessment, treatment, and management of addictive disorders. By highlighting culturally competent assessment, we seek to advance our understanding and improve the care provided to these underserved populations.
Suggested Themes for papers (may include, but are not limited to):
• Epidemiological studies: Studies on the prevalence and patterns of addictive disorders (such as substance use disorders, gambling disorder, internet addiction, sex addiction, and binge eating disorder, ). Analysis of risk and protective factors and impact of psychosocial factors (including trauma, discrimination, and social support).
• Mental Health and Co-occurring Disorders: studies on the prevalence and treatment of comorbidity with mental health disorders (such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, etc) and the need for integrated treatment approaches.
• Innovative Treatment Approaches: Evaluation of innovative treatment modalities tailored to the LGBTIQA+ community and racial minorities and tailored interventions. This may include culturally competent care, harm reduction strategies, peer support programs, and digital health interventions.
• Barriers to Care and Health Disparities: Investigation into the barriers and the impact of systemic discrimination on treatment outcomes – including perceived and experienced stigma within both clinical and community settings and its implications for treatment engagement and retention.
• Cultural Competency: development and implementation of culturally tailored treatment models and studies exploring the prevalence and patterns of addictive disorders across racial backgrounds.
• Innovative Assessment and Treatment Tools: development and validation of assessment tools (such as app-based or AI-based tools) that are sensitive to the cultural contexts of racial and sexual minorities. Use of technology and digital health interventions (Including digital therapeutics and telehealth interventions) to improve assessment and treatment outcomes.
• Policy and Advocacy: Analysis of policies that impact addictive disorders among sexual minorities and across different cultures. Advocacy efforts to promote equity in treatment and prevention.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, and case studies that contribute to advancing our understanding and improving care for these underserved populations.
Keywords:
minority, sexual minority, substance use, assessment, management, LGBT, LGBTQ+
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.