That's a subject worth mention. There is a stereotype that gay men use recreational drugs. While research tells us that sexual minorities, including gay men, may be more likely to use drugs, and at higher risk for substance use problems and addictions, the truth is that many gay men do not use drugs. For example, statistics showing that a third of gay men use drugs also indicate that twice as many do not.

Most of the focus of research into substance use in sexual minorities has been with gay men, largely because of concerns about HIV in the gay community. Research has shown that some gay men engage in dangerous party and play activities, during which substance use, and particularly the use of crystal meth, has been combined with unsafe sex, including sex with multiple partners. Yet research has also shown that one of many myths about gay meth use is that these activities are common among gay men — in reality, only a minority of gay men take meth and have unsafe sex.