“Screening, Counseling, and Shared Decision Making for Alcohol Use with Transgender and Gender-Diverse Populations” was recently published in the journal LGBT Health. Authored by Director of Education and Training Programs, Dr. Alex S. Keuroghlian and Jacob Arellano-Anderson, this article discusses how current alcohol screening tools and guidelines do not distinguish between sex- and gender-related characteristics.
These tools were developed without accounting for natal sex-based physiology, effects of gender-affirming medical care, and gendered drinking behavior among transgender and gender-diverse people. More research on how sex- and gender-related factors independently influence alcohol use can help validate gender-inclusive screening protocols and develop evidence-based guidelines meaningful for people of all genders. In the interim, clinicians must be mindful of gender diversity and engage in transparent, collaborative discussions when screening for and counseling about alcohol use.
