While bisexual individuals in general have higher rates of alcohol use and abuse, bisexual women in particular have the highest  prevalence of usage and heavy episodic drinking (when compared to bisexual women and heterosexual men and women).

Alcohol Usage Among Bisexual Women

Additional research has found higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among bisexual individuals when compared to heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals. These mental health concerns could be related to alcohol-related disparities. It has also been hypothesized alcohol use is associated with isolation felt by bisexual individuals due to a lack of societal and community support.

Proposed Explanations for Greater Alcohol Use Among Bisexual People

Since distinguishing bisexual individuals from LG and heterosexual groups , research as found higher rates of overall alcohol usage, heavy episodic drinking, and AUD among bisexuals when compared to other sexual orientations.

Cleveland State University

Until recent years, researchers typically grouped bisexual participants in with lesbian and gay populations, categorized them as either heterosexual or LG based on the gender of their current partner, or completely omitted them from substance use research entirely. The last decade has seen an increase in health research among this group, after advocacy for increased data and an explicit focus in research.

Historical Classification of Bisexual Individuals in Substance Use Research

Shokoohi, M., Kinitz, D. J., Pinto, D., Andrade-Romo, Z., Zeng, Z., Abramovich, A., Salway, T., & Ross, L. E. (2022). Disparities in alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking among bisexual people: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 235, 109433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109433 

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