Lesbians reportedly use alcohol more frequently and in greater quantities than heterosexuals, conceivably placing them at greater risk for alcohol-related problems. Past theorists have suggested psychosocial variables such as stress or the centrality of the gay bar to account for these findings. Researchers have not examined lesbian drinking within its historical, social, and cultural contexts.
This paper reviews findings of a qualitative interview study examining sexual identity development and alcohol use patterns of 31 self-identified lesbian social drinkers. Findings reveal the importance of multiple contexts to understanding lesbian drinking. The author proposes a correspondence between identity development and alcohol use, as both are affected by the changing social conditions of different historic eras. The normalized presence of alcohol in lesbian contexts and norms related to its use present distinctive dilemmas for alcohol problem identification and treatment with this population. These findings have several implications for practice with lesbian clients.
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