Understanding Substance Use and Suicide Risk Among LGBTQ+ College Students Post‐COVID‐19

ABSTRACT This study examines the reported frequency of substance use, levels of suicide risk, and their relationships among LGBTQ+ college students ( N = 192) following the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants most commonly reported alcohol and marijuana use, and least commonly reported unprescribed prescription opioid or heroin use. Additionally, roughly half of the participants met clinical cutoff scores for suicide behavior. Substance use frequency was not significantly associated with proximal suicide risk factors, regardless of substance type; however, suicide behavior scores were significantly positively associated with frequency of tobacco, marijuana, and recreational drug use. Implications for addictions counselors are discussed.